The traditional phulo-phalo blessing that every newly married couple receives seems a materialistic blessing. With a deeper meaning about fertility, it helps women understand reproductive health
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Community prevents pollution, keeps lake clean
By taking all possible preventive measures, community ensures Tsogmo Lake, a popular tourist destination in Sikkim with rich biodiversity, remains tidy and pollution free
Tribal women reap benefits of collective farming
Switching to modern agricultural practices and coming together as producer groups have helped women farmers have the bargaining power about their produce and earn more
Transitional houses help villagers rebuild life after cyclone
Villagers have rebuilt their life after Cyclone Fani, by building transitional shelters with local material. Building by themselves has given them dignity, besides a safe space
Bihar farmers grow makhana to tackle weather uncertainties
Climate-induced extreme weather events damaging their traditionally grown maize and paddy crops, farmers have switched to growing resilient foxtrot, known for its nutritional value
Young farmer scientist conserves landraces
A traditional farmer, after undergoing training under agricultural scientists, has been conserving various landraces and sharing his knowledge, besides establishing a community seed bank
Lockdown cash crunch effects organic farming
With the men away, women farmers had no money to buy chemical inputs during the lockdown and shifted to organic farming. They are already reaping the benefits
Farmers go green by growing organic cotton
Switching to organic farming practices has resulted in improved soil health. It has reduced cost of cultivation for farmers, despite organic cotton fetching the same market price
Administrators hope to appease relocated tribes of Simlipal
With discontentment among relocated tribes leading to conflict between tiger conservation and tribes’ habitat rights in Similipal, administrators hope to change mindset with education and employment
Community involvement improves waste management
With awareness lacking in rural areas, waste management is an issue, especially in tourist attractions. A multi-stakeholder model, with the community at the helm shows the way
Lockdown program helps villagers access welfare schemes
An initiative launched to offer relief during lockdown has helped returned migrants and those who lost their livelihood access government’s social welfare schemes
Eco-friendly sanitation wins proponent civilian award
The government primary school in Pagalavadi village in Thuraiyur administrative block of Tiruchirappalli – commonly referred to as Trichy – district boasts of SATO pan toilets. A product of LIXIL, the name SATO is derived from safe toilets. The toilets need just 500ml of water because of a simple mechanical-cum-water seal in the pan. The… Continue reading Eco-friendly sanitation wins proponent civilian award
Visitor toll helps tribes develop their villages
District administration permits tribes to collect toll from tourists visiting Kataki waterfall. With the revenue, the toll committee upgrades the village and waterfalls, besides helping the needy
Bengal’s traditional shellac dolls face lacklustre future
Lack of demand coupled with rising cost of raw material has sounded death knell for shellac dolls in West Bengal with just a single artisan practicing it
Cooperative helps rural women gain financial independence
Celebrating International Women’s Day gives members of a rural women’s collective the opportunity to reflect on their improved livelihood and progress with renewed zeal towards financial sustenance
Tribes welcome revival of traditional cultural centers
Ghotuls, traditionally where youth learnt to take on responsibilities, fell into decline for many reasons. Tribes believe the government’s plan to revive them would uphold the tribal culture
Water-starved villagers harvest rainwater in multiple tanks
Post-monsoon water scarcity was a common problem. By storing rainwater in many miniature plastic-lined tanks, villagers have solved their water woes and used it for remunerative cultivation
Villagers deify pangolin to protect the animal
In a region where hunting and poaching of pangolins are rampant, villagers pledge to protect them by giving equal reverence to the animal as their village deity
Centenarian pioneer woman farmer honored with Padma Shri
A hands-on farmer from a young age, unlettered Pappammal has been at equal ease in her farm and in scientific discussions, and a proponent of sustainable and modern farm practices
Villagers dig well during lockdown to solve water problem
Increased water demand during lockdown brought to fore Tindori village’s lack of a reliable water source. Digging a well near monsoon ravines, community has ensured prolonged water availability