In Himachal Pradesh our NRM activities work to help the communities look after and manage their own natural resources and to rightly share the benefit of these resources. Committees, made up of a group of villagers, take up activities like managing watershed projects. Even some of the repair and maintenance is undertaken through the shramdaan by the villagers. Crate weirs, water storage tanks, RRWHS, check dams, well deepening and promotion of horticulture are all part of the 9 watershed projects in the country.
We have strongly promoted horticulture in Himachal Pradesh to enhance the villager’s incomes. Fruit trees like mangoes, lemons, litchis, apples, mulberry, jackfruit and jatropha (a source of bio-diesel), etc are successfully grown in the area. Exposure visits to Uttarakhand are arranged, where the topography is similar to that of Himachal Pradesh,
to motivate the farmers.
We have trained a cadre of Village Health Functionaries who now provide basic medical care to villagers. After discussing with 15 panchayats, a sanitation programme has been implemented in Darlaghat along with the DRDA, and regular motivational camps are also organised.
With support from the National AIDS Control Organisation ACF in Himachal Pradesh runs a Composite Targeted Intervention Programme (CTIP) that addresses specific target groups like truckers, migrant labourers, and commercial sex workers. Programmes like rallies, awareness and health camps and training programmes for peer educators are organised under this programme. With awareness techniques such as street plays, movie screenings, and group meetings, one on one interpersonal contact, and condom distribution and usage demonstration, the Darlaghat unit fights HIV/AIDS with the multi-pronged approach it needs. The workplace intervention programme at Himachal Pradesh has gathered
momentum expanded.
We established the Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) in this area to periodically hold training programmes on alternate livelihood options for the residents. Marketable skills like knitting, embroidery and tailoring, heavy vehicle driving, carpentry and barbending are taught through these programmes.
Nalagarh
Ambuja Cements Ltd is setting up a new unit at Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh. Being forward-looking, it has begun engaging with the local community through the Ambuja Cement Foundation. An external agency was engaged to conduct a detailed social impact assessment. The assessment has been completed and serves as a need assessment report for ACF. We have begun activities with the people on the basis of this report. |