CYP's Nature Discovery project amazes locals
By Shirani Rajapakse, Programme Manager, CYP Asia Centre
High in the trans Himalayas 11,000 feet above sea level, Rigzin patiently explains to a group of women from a local SHG about the benefits of organic farming. The women listen attentively, amazed by what they see and hear. This is one of the most environmentally hostile regions of the world. Described as a cold desert region, Ladakh, the northernmost part of India remains under snow for more than six months of the year.

The field they are standing in belongs to the Thiksey Gonpa (Monastery), perched atop a craggy rock 25 kilometers from Leh, the capitol of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, India. There are approximately 32 varieties of vegetables spread across an acre of land. Nothing grew in this harsh arid area except for shrubs and alfalfa, used as fodder for cows and several thorny bushes of seabuckthorn. However since last year when the Commonwealth Youth Programme started "Nature Discovery", its project on sustainable living, there has been a change in the landscape of this tiny village.

In 2005, the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Rural Development and You (RDY) - a local youth NGO based in Leh and Thiksey Gonpa signed a Memorandam of Agreement to replicate parts of the Nature Discovery project that is functioning at the CYP Asia Centre campus. The Gonpa is a very popular venue for most Ladakhis and apart from the land available for development, the Lamas (monks) of the Gonpa are already involved in various aspects of environmental conservation. CYPs contribution to the project was a grant of 310, 500 rupees (approximately USD 6605) to set up the project along with technical expertise. Thiksey Gonpa provided the land - two large plots, and they also contributed 50,000 rupees (USD 1064) towards the development of the project. RDY provided logistical support and coordinates the project for CYP. They also chipped in with 30,000 rupees (USD 638).

This year Mr. Rigzin Norbu (26), a graduate in Arts who has worked in watershed management projects in Ladakh joined RDY with the sole responsibility of taking care of Nature Discovery Ladakh. His main focus is to manage the two gardeners, provide training and guidance to villagers about organic farming and other related issues as well as raise awareness among the young people of Ladakh about the need to conserve the environment. "Ladakhi people are very conscious about protecting the environment. However some of the young people are not so aware about the need for this," he said.

The main objective of Nature Discovery is to provide young people an opportunity to become aware of sustainable development and how this can be achieved through "green" employment. Visitors to Nature Discovery will learn about different types of environmentally friendly economic projects that they can start on their own in their homes and villages that would be beneficial to themselves, their communities and to their surrounding environment. The focus is on creating awareness about sustainable living and the benefits to both the environment and economic status of the people.

As at the Asia Centre, Nature Discovery Ladakh will also function as a demonstration site for students who wish to replicate all or some of the models in their institutions or home gardens.

The people of Ladakh rely on the outside for approximately 40 percent of their food since hardly anything grows in this beautiful yet barren landscape. The Field Research Laboratory (FRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation is actively promoting new and sustainable efforts of food production for the people of the region, yet this is insufficient. Much of the needs of the Ladakhis are met through preserving crops during the bitter winter period as well as generating organic manure for use in their home gardens and fields. These two aspects provide the main backbone to the promotion of Nature Discovery in Ladakh.

The larger of the two plots of land of approximately an acre in size, provided by Thiksey Gonpa was set aside for growing organic vegetables and fruits. A vegetable dryer and compost pit was also constructed and several varieties of flora common to the region were planted. Recently an ornamental pond for lotus and lilies was also constructed. The smaller plot, which is less than an acre, houses the greenhouse and winter storage facility, which also doubles as a nursery and vermi composting shed. "We have even grown tomatoes," exclaimed Mr. Padma Tashi, Executive Director, RDY, who oversees the project. Tomatoes and other varieties of vegetables that do not grow in the gardens outside thrive inside the greenhouse. "This model is very good as it helps retain the heat unlike the other greenhouses here in Ladakh. Now the women are seeing for themselves the benefits and are interested in constructing similar structures in their homes." he added.

The produce from the project is used in the Gonpa kitchens. However this is just a fraction of the produce, as the Gonpa houses only 100 lamas. Last summer, the Gonpa was able to cut their costs for vegetable consumption by almost 90 percent. This year they have more than necessary. "We have excess of approximately 10 quintals of vegetables," Lama Lobzang Thapkas, Secretary of Thiksey Cultural & Welfare Society, Thiksey Gonpa said. "We now need skills in marketing."

Some of the excess produce is sold to the villagers yet there is still more left and the Gonpa is hoping it can sell directly to the army personnel stationed here.

"The project is really very helpful for all of us. We can see the benefits for ourselves." Mr. Padma Tashi explained.

He is very keen to promote the concept of sustainability to the young people and the SHGs in the rural areas as well since much of the produce is in these areas. Vermi composting is also thought to take root here. "We never thought we could promote vermi composting here because the people we spoke to thought the worms would be killed and they were against it. Now that they have seen that the worms aren't harmed they are willing to try it in their homes."

Nature Discovery a collaboration between CYP and the Environment Society of India (ESI), is an innovative effort towards creating awareness on the environment and nature conservation among young people. The first of its kind in North West India, the project was launched at the Asia Centre's premises in 2002 and includes both nature conservation and income generating initiatives. Students, army personnel, nurses' college and other interested groups and institutions in and around Chandigarh have replicated many aspects of the project. The project in Ladakh is the first major replication outside Chandigarh, and that too in an environmentally challenging place.