Sanskara Development Trust

F328 Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, Road New Delhi-110030

Phone No. 011-41486140, Email: sanskaraindia@yahoo.com



Protecting Natural Habitats
in India
SANSKARA DEVELOPMENT TRUST



THE HIMALAYAN FARMLANDS INITIATIVE




Photo courtesy Srinivas Garudachar
Himalayan Farmlands Initiative Page 1

Sanskara Development Trust

INTRODUCTION: Sanskara Development Trust has initiated a new programme to protect biodiversity in
himalayan farmlands bordering forest reserves in Uttarakhand, India.

BACKGROUND: By way of background, Sanskara worked to protect natural landscapes along an elephant
migration corridor in Uttarakhand and was successful in securing the Powalgarh Conservation Reserve in
conjunction with the State authorities and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
in November 2012.

THE PLACE:
Along the Southern edge of the newly declared Conservation Reserve of Powalgarh, lies Kotabagh in the
foothills of Nainital. The Kotabagh Block comprises of 35 villages and shares its boundaries with forests
of the Ramnagar Division, adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve. The area is rich in wildlife and has been well
documented in Jim Corbetts books.

THE THREATS: Over the years the villages in Kotabagh have retained their scenic beauty and these areas
are still picturesque, but now the farm lands stand precariously challenged as the village folk are forced
to choose harmful inorganic methods of farming to increase revenue and improve affordability. The
possibility of village lands being sold for profit to urban developers also looms large, which threatens to
undermine the dignity of the hill folk. Biodiversity in the region is also now under grave threat due to the
use of harmful insecticides.

THE MISSION: The objective is to protect the farmlands in the Kotabagh Block and create environmental,
social and economic security for the village people by introducing sustainable and safe farming practices,
allowing for the original hill folk to retain their farm lands thus protecting the health and natural
environment for future generations.


GOING ORGANIC
A scenic village in Kotabagh at the foothills of the Himalaya

Himalayan Farmlands Initiative Page 2

Sanskara Development Trust
GOING ORGANIC: The project has been initiated and an officer from the Block is working to source
organic seeds and fertilizers and introduce natural pest control measures for the farms by engaging the
local community. Testing of ground water has been undertaken and certified by experts in the field from
a reputed firm . So far, Sanskara has partnered with the Block authorities of Kotabagh and aims to have
the soil tested by the Pantnagar University, the leading agricultural institution in the Uttarakhand region.









THE PROCESS: The project will undertake campaigns to stop the use of harmful pesticides in farms and
help source marketing links for the organic produce from the villages of Kotabagh, with a buy in from
retailers during the process. Initiatives like bee keeping will be encouraged to increase crop yield with a
view to help generate additional incomes for the local people. Alternative methods of packaging,
refrigeration and storage will be further examined with an aim to secure hygiene and greater shelf life of
the farm produce being sold in the market.

Currently local preserves are sold in plastic
jars a mobile vendor with his cart

Fresh farm produce being
collected for sale in local markets
The local people are hardworking, proud, friendly,
simple and struggling to balance nature,
tradition and livelihood.

Himalayan Farmlands Initiative Page 3

Sanskara Development Trust
THE METHOD: STAGE 1: SURVEY
The project will gather data about:
Number of households in the villages within the
Kotabagh Block - 4 sample villages
Total area of farmlands - these are small holdings and
the people are subsistence farmers
Sources of income other than farming
Current plough and harvest methods
Number and types of crops annually / seasonally
Use of pesticides with regard to specific crops
Whether the use of fertilizers has increased yield and
income / effected biodiversity
Distribution methods and markets / source of seeds
Awareness levels about the use of harmful pesticides
Any known increase in disease / health related data
Poultry and cattle / its maintenance, source of feed,
incomes generated from dairy
Irrigation / scientific soil and water testing
Level of education of local people / schools
Access to television / internet / refrigeration
Access to markets / local / national / international
Willingness of farmers towards accepting change in
farming methods, include other sources of income




STAGE 2: ACTION
Create awareness through campaigns based on local findings of inorganic practices and combine
national and international information and experience to the local issues
Create project mobilisers within the village community through farmer or Kisan clubs
Appeal to high level policy makers and government to stop the sale of harmful pesticides
Advocate the need for organic farming to the local people in the farming district
Include bee keeping as an additional source of income and create a show case for the community
Source government means to increase alternative facilities including biogas for cooking
Introduce bio fertilizers for the farms through government schemes
Train local people to set up small scale business enterprises by availing Government grants

THE OUTCOME: It is envisaged that Sanskara Development Trust in collaboration with local and
international organisations will enable villages in Kotabagh within the Nainital district of India to
serve as model villages where within the period of one year, the organisations will help establish:
1.) a campaign displaying the consequences of harmful pesticides used in farming and seek
government support to eradicate its sale, 2.) start the process for organic farms in 4 villages, 3.)
identify market links for local farm produce. The second year will look at scaling the initiative and
the project will include alternative farming practices towards securing better environmental,
social and economic development for the long term benefit of the people and the land in the
foothills of the Himalayan farmlands in Northern India.
Dairy: Collection centres for fresh milk are established in the villages, providing an additional source of income
for the people, however currently there are no refrigeration facilities in the Kotabagh Block