The Rainforest Information Centre has been funding RDAS for tree planting projects and women's tailoring work. Here is info about the group followed by donation information. If you would like to make a donation and receive tax deductibility in the US, UK, Canada or Australia, please visit our donation page.
Rural Development Afforestation Society (RDAS)RDAS is a legally registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) duly registered with Government of Tami Nadu and also having registered No: 56/1995, womens welfare activities and Reforestation rehabilitation activities, and work for urban and rural have
Environment and Agriculture
In this semi-arid part of India, Tamil Nadu, Tiruvannamalai District, the environment is in a critical state due to decades of abuse, i.e. over planting cutting of trees, and population overload. The drastically diminished annual rainfall has also contributed to its ravaged state.
In many areas the basic requirements for plant growth are no longer viable. Seventy percent of the Indian population must make its livelihood from agriculture in spite of these critical problems in light of this department of environment and sustainable agriculture has been created to deal directly and force fully with these problems and bring about sustainable solutions.
The village community land model Farm and Training Centre:
A productive model farm was created 3years ago, on a 50 acre stretch of barren land, which is centrally located to most of our villages. It has subsequently been transformed into a multi-functional training centre, modern vermin compost pit. The farm is accessible to all, and contains a research development center founded to support the village farmers. It is used also to demonstrate the viability of good agricultural plant nursery, worm culture and other environmental practices. Agricultural experts, permaculture trainers and research specialists are frequently invited to hold discussions, seminars and practical demonstrations for the local farmers staff and land less labor farmers.
Within the training centre, permaculture information centre, there are modern audio-visual facilities and accommodations for the visiting trainers farmers from India and the west take advantage of the farms ongoing training programs, through which they gain practical experience, in order to full fill their requirements.
Sustainable Agriculture
RDAS is involved in a very successful reforestation program that contains and helps reduce the rampant soil erosion brought on by over grazing and over-cultivation. It also encourages the preservation of endangered species of 25,000/- trees and plants in the Melkachirappattu, Iruthayanagar, Kilkachirappattu, Ganthipuram, Meyyur villages community land farm nurseries. Trees are cultivated that provide shade, fruit, firewood, herbal medicine and fodder with special emphasis on drought resistant fruit trees. All these trees are made available to the village people at a very nominal cost and free of cost and assistance is given in their planting and maintenance as well as teaching of propagation methods i.e. grafting, seed collection etc of trees and shrubs.
Sustainable farming techniques such as developing crop diversity, sound crop rotation patterns and crop compatibility strategies are also demonstrated. The village womens group, youth clubs, farmers clubs who learn these techniques, teach and demonstrate this knowledge to their respective villages.
Trainees become convincing trainers. Composting and the rational use of farmyard manure and organic fertilizers, together with biological pest and weed control methods contributes to the health of the environment as a whole.
Cash crops of fruit, vegetable and medicinal herbs, together with drought-resistant species of mango, sapota, guava and pomegranate are continually being experimented with, to ascertain which varieties give the best yield within the prevailing soil and climate conditions. In addition, varieties of vegetables (like green zucchini and broccoli) not native to India are being introduced locally. Experiments with seed propagation are also underway to increase productivity and disease immunity.
Agricultural Cooperatives
To reduce operating costs and to make farming more viable for those who cannot afford any modern equipment, the society has established agricultural cooperatives. Two tractors, a variety of farming implements and ploughs, are hired out by the society to the local small farmers, at rates that cover only our maintenance costs. To increase productivity, the farmers are invited to attend numerous seminars talks and training sessions (in their mother tongue) on a wide variety of modern agricultural techniques; in this way, these small farmers can also develop and prosper.
Throughout the organization, (whether in the administration, the clinic, the many workshops, the school, the gardens in the fields or in village work), hundreds of people from different backgrounds and levels of education live in a deep, unforced and natural reciprocity; this precious mutuality should in due time transmit itself into the villages.
Watershed Program
All life rests on the finding and successful retention of water. Even when the monsoon rains do come the water run-off is substantial due to the ravaged landscape. The society watershed program was implemented to help absorb the water into the underground water table before it dissipates. Soil regeneration efforts like land contouring and the reforestations program, help to conserve rainfall, while mulching, drip irrigation methods and sprinklers, have reduced water consumption by as much as 80%. Water conservation is further promoted through the 'Share a well'‚ program, a 100 ha watershed land development programme.
Agricultural equipment
Because this region is predominately agricultural, there is a tremendous need for inexpensive but quality agricultural implements. To meet this need, the society recently embarked on a project of designing and building farm equipment which is closely suited to local land conditions, and yet affordable to the farmers. For this reason an agricultural equipment division with rotary ploughs, cultivators, levelers and cage wheels has come into being.
Community Development
These are men selected by the village folk themselves to represent them, and to present their needs to the society. They have all received appropriate training in social work. As they are an integral part of their respective communities they have deeper insights into the real situations and can more easily identify the most destitute and miserable. Through these helpers, food, clothing and other essentials are regularly distributed to the need widows, the handicapped, the elderly, and the abandoned are cared for by these workers. These village helpers are part of the effort to ensure that the individual communities will ultimately be independent of the society in all social and economical affairs, and that they will be able to take over the full responsibility of caring for those in need within their villages. Towards this end, individual gifts such as cows sheep, goats, oxen, ox-carts, bicycle rickshaws, sewing machines etc are donated to certain inhabitants. For other individuals the society has set up small shops, such as bicycle rentals and handicrafts/tailoring, sewing machines etc.
Rural Community Development
The various programmes for community development grew quite organically out of the field of permacultural information and Reforestation/ Agroforestry promotion and now run hand-in-hand with it. From the beginning it was obvious that many agricultural developments were a a direct result of poverty. People lived in the most appalling conditions! poor nourishment, lack of hygiene and infested drinking end bathing water, made a mockery of health and environment awareness. Such problems are being overcome slowly by the on going efforts to raise general living standards, and especially through permaculture, sustainable agriculture education,
Also for generations, this poverty has prevented any semblance of community life within the villages. Being daily preoccupied with physical self-preservation, there has been no energy or will to care for others. The result is that any communal spirit that might have been, has degenerated, long ago, into the feel of 'each one for himself only'.
Village Upliftment: (Community Centers)
The RDAS, Society is in the process of Iruthayanagar Village Community Centers for our 23 villages benefit. The aim is to have one building for each cluster of villages through which more and more people can be drawn into group activities.
These centers will focus on the traditional trades, such as wood carving, tailoring, leaf-painting, weaving and other handicrafts. The centers also offer training on tree nurseries and permaculture to the poor farmers every week on two days in different villages.
Working together not only enhances the communal spirit in the villages but also helps to whittle away the entranced prejudices and caste consciousness.
Women Development
In spite of their humble status in the poorer classes, women are in fact the backbone of Indian society. Here the mother plays the major role and bears the heaviest burden of caring for the family and bringing up the children often down trodden, neglected, ill used, or even abused; they nevertheless demonstrate a resilience, perseverance, patience and enduring reliability which gives support to the entire family. In recognition of this tenacity of spirit, and realizing that, without the total involvement of women in our project, no enduring improvements can be made, the Rural Madhar Shangam working women society was formed in 2004.
Rural Madhar Sangam
The Rural Madhar Sangam (working women society) is a vital outreach program in to the villages. Made up of responsible village women, its aim is to raise the living standards in the villages. At their regular meetings, the women discuss specific issues at the village level, voice their needs and are encouraged to share their problems, fears and frustrations. In this way they draw closer to each other regardless of caste or creed.
The problems of providing for a family are common to all. The Rural Madhar Sangam arranges activities such as lectures on hygiene and family harmony. It makes women aware of the difficulties of early marriage, and the dowry system, as well as the necessity of education for girls. Through the Rural Madhar Sangam, the women become eligible for interest free loans from the RDAS Society with which they can initiate small business (Women Tea-shops, Vegetable Shops, Poultry Units, Tailoring shops, Handicrafts)
A large number of women have found work in this way and with the help of Rainforest Information Centre (Australia) and Cottonwood Foundation (USA) this program is continually expanding.
Another aspect of Rural Madhar Sangam work is as a permaculture information centre offering skills training in day-care, non-formal education for drop out childrencombind with the planting of fruit trees, local trees, leaf-painting, block printing, development of kitchen gardens, embroidery and tailoring.
Iruthayanagar Village Day-Care Centers
In 2004, a day-care center was opened for the Iruthayanagar children of the women employed by the RDAS society. It was expanded to include children from other villages: Kilkachirapattu, Melkachirappattu, Gandhipuram enabling their women to go to work and to contribute to the family income. Both Tamil and English are spoken at this centre to better prepare these children for subsequent schooling.
Evening Schools
Although public schooling is free in India, village children are often needed by their families to work in the fields and help in the home. Because of this, their formal education is often ignored. The only time left for their education is the evening. Because of this, RDAS set up 3 evening schools in the villages (Iruthayanagar- 32 children, Melkachirapattu - 42, Kilkachirappattu - 28, children) where basic subjects such as reading and writing (in Tamil) arithmetic and simple English are taught. All class essentials such as notebooks, pencils, chalk slates are provided by the RDAS donors. Many pupils have, after this evening schooling, been able to move onto the RDAS Society, the local state Tamil medium school (or) one of the society vocational training programs.
A Cultural Program
Education should do more than satisfy just head and hands. Indian culture has traditionally aimed at spiritual richness, which finds its outer expression in the arts, music, dancing and acting. The Governmental School now employs teachers for Bharatnatayam, the devotional dance and classical music of South India. The rural children are taught to recapture in music, dance and drama the myths and legends of their ancient heroes and heroines. The disciplines of Hatha Yoga and Pranayama, which aim at the harmonious balance of body, mind and soul are also taught. These activities are aimed at 10 village school implementing and acquainting the children with the rich cultural heritage that their impoverished village lifestyle has denied them until now. Instead of comparing themselves unfavourably with westerners, they are able to acquire their own self-esteem by becoming familiar with the values within their own culture values which they can now proudly share with others.
Tailoring
30 women are presently trained in Melkachirappattu and Iruthayanagar and Annanagar area working in this vocational training. The Tailoring Trainees receive a stipend during their six-month training period and are later employed by the society making clothing for local shop or they are assisted in starting their own businesses locally at the village level.
Leaf Painting
The artistically gifted can develop within the society by being trained in the delicate art of leaf painting. Leaves from the local peepal tree are collected, soaked and brushed, until the outer leaf is separated from the filigree-like skeleton. These transparent, fine, leaf structures are then dried and painted with lovely motifs. After completion, they are pasted on handmade paper and sold as greeting cards.
There are more than 75 designs to date, made by the artists themselves. This division has expanded and currently has 5 painters 15 trainees. The training period is one year although quality control is still implemented after this time. The quiet harmonious atmosphere that pervades the working area is captured in the cards. Most are sold in the locale where they are appreciated for their uniqueness and flair.
Bag Making
20 women widows are currently making large bags with brightly coloured motif and hand-woven out of strips of plastic. These are selling well in the Tiruvannamalai Town and campus carry-alls.
Doll Making
Handmade Indian dolls in traditional dress are the most recent addition to the Handiwork training section. These Collectors dolls are proving popular with school, public and local, tourist alike.
Incense Sticks
Initially in Annanagar area, a small group of women were trained in this art. Several months ago, with loans from the society Rs.5,000/, this has now become a successful income generating project giving work for about 15 widowed women. We have now been able to transfer this unit out of the society, and into the capable hands of an enterprising Iruthayanagar Village women.RDAS/Women Group leader Selvi now runs this unit totally independent from the society.
Incense sticks are used in nearly every Indian household and are readily sold on the local market. In the future, export possibilities are also opening up, enabling even more women to be employed. The beauty of this work is that it is wholly independent of the weather, with its many extreme moods in India.
Formerly, our village women could only earn for their families as heavy field and construction labourers, an exhausting work. The incense making is so much more convenient and suitable to their nature.
Embroidery
This was our first year handicraft section, started in 2005, with only five women. It now employs 15 women training full time. Every year 15 new trainees join the section, Melkachirappattu where they stay for a total of three years programme 2005 to 2008. While in training we need a modest stipend and after six months they are paid per-piece. The bulk of their production has been linen, dresses and children's clothing and is sold primarily in India Tiruvannamalai. The embroidery produced by these women is now truly up to an excellent standard.
Medicinal Plants Conservation Park
South India has a 3000 year old Medical Heritage, one of the oldest in the world. It also has one of the richest botanical traditions with over 1000 species of plants, medicinal herbs and plants from the core of the Indians' ancient medical lore. The society in partnership with an international Non-Governmental organization, Rainforest Information Centre and Cottonwood Foundation is helping with the conservation of India's Medical Plants. We have established a botanical garden of local herbal and medicinal flora which will serve as a living seed bank for the preservation of the rapidly disappearing species.
Plants are collected and brought to the center for propagation. An inventory of available varieties and their uses have been made. Over 200 medicinal species alone have been planted in the villages to provide a simple and inexpensive solution to many common ailments and diseases. Effective treatment can now take place at home. Villagers are asked to report the efficacy of these herbs in treating specific diseases. We then store this information in our data seed bank, for the use of our research partner in Australia, USA, India.
We request that you kindly consider our appeal and extend your kind consideration by funds/donation some amount to our RDAS to carry out the above activities at an earliest date.
We enclose here with some photographs of the field work in Tiruvannamalai facing some problems relates to basic needs for your kind reference.
We request your earliest assistance in this regard, please with a request to convey this message to your friends, donors, like minded well wishers for extending their kind assistance to RDAS, to carryout this above activity in vast level.
We accept Cheques, Demand Drafts, Cash donations etc., all should be sent to the address given below.
P. Subramanian,
Secretary
Rural Development Afforestation Society
Melkachirappattu Village
Meyyur Post
Pin Code - 606 753
Tiruvannamalai Taluk & District
Tamil Nadu ˆ India
Email ˆ rdas123123@rediffmail.comOur Bank Details:
Bank Account No: 17758
Indian Overses Bank
Big Street, Tiruvannamalai District
Tamil Nadu ˆ India
Pin ˆ 606 601.Thanking you and inviting your earliest assistance, please.
Yours in people‚s service
p.subramanian
(RDAS) SECRETARY