A REPORT BY RHEA HUSSAIN (Project Assistant, Rural Futures)
ECOFIRST SERVICES LIMITED is a leading engineering services consulting firm. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Consulting Engineers Limited. Tata Consulting Engineers Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Limited. Ecofirst will leverage the engineering & technology expertise of Tata Consulting Engineers Limited and Ecofirst’s sustainable development framework to create a niche basket of services. Ecofirst, strives to embrace the value systems of Tata Consulting Engineers Limited and enable companies in sustainable development in the built environment. We help companies realize key sustainable goals in the built environment and we are proud to make a difference by driving development through sustainable solutions.
Guiding Principle and Philosophy of Ecofirst:
Creating self-sufficient communities
Balancing Sustainability and Affordability
Integrating traditional solutions with modern techniques
Thought leadership & innovative solutions going beyond certification
Encouraging local/small scale innovators
Advocating Sustainability & spreading education and awareness
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Ecofirst, were on a four-day tour (18 th August – 22nd August) with the purpose of visiting communities and villages near Deepor Beel, which is in Rani, Guwahati; Balipara (Sonitpur district) and the communities in Udalguri district. Members of the Ecofirst team: Chitranjan Kaushik – COO Pragyan Kalita – Architect
OBJECTIVES
Enhance the overall social infrastructure of the communities To interact with the locals To be able to understand the perspectives of the people in terms of their needs in the communities Keep in mind the sectors that need to be enhanced To investigate the growth of the villages regarding various aspects Integration of environmental conservation and sustainable upliftment Conceptualize the phenomenon of migration from the villages to other parts of the country or state To investigate the livelihood generation pattern of the people against factors such as land holdings, availability of water, types of livelihood (primary, secondary or potential), market linkage etcetera Levels of education and reachability of primary and higher-secondary schools from the villages/communities To investigate the health programs – from the Government – and the level of awareness amongst the people
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KEY FINDINGS
An eco-village cannot only include the aspect of a ‘built-environment’ There is a requirement for ‘needs based’ facility system All the villages that have been visited namely – Baligaon, Garo Gaon, Nyishi Gaon, Mishing Gaon, Santhali Community and Bodo villages in Udalguri – have been growing keeping in mind the rate of migration The primary source of income (which is largely agricultural based) continues to be hampered by elephants There is a need for the mechanization of alternate livelihoods There is a need for entrepreneurial frameworks for those who may want to engage in any form of alternate livelihood People are aware of the need for environmental sustainability but there lie in their idea of development (need for a critical linkage) Need for a source of capital investment Existing economic activities need to integrate the concept of circular economy A level of exposure is required for the people of communities to aspire and dream big The Krishi Vigyan Kendra need to expand their role Existence of cooperatives or a business entity could help investigate aspects such as microfinance, change in skillset etcetera Increase the role of banks by helping them align and engage in the aspirations, needs ROLE OF BALIPARA FOUNDATION and developmental trajectories of the (INTERNVENTIONS) communities If we are to examine the overall conceptualization of the villages and communities visited (in terms of socio-economic mobility), the major need of the hour is for the communities to internalize their bond which have helped the villages to establish themselves. This concept will help in the formation of cooperatives and in this cooperative, the youngsters could possibly be the marketing force. Page 3 of 5
Balipara Foundation as an organization working closely on issues related to conservation, community engagement and livelihood generation, can play a major role in the process of hand-holding. If we are to put our minds into the upliftment of the communities in a sustainable manner, then we must consider the fact that Government bodies have intentions of doing good for the society, but many a times there are gaps that lead to wider divisions between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. In such a case, Balipara Foundation can yet again act as a mediator between the Government bodies and the people.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A couple more visits to communities and villages may help to conceptualize or design “sustainable development” better – usually it is not possible to mobilize people with just one or two such interactive sessions. Mechanization of livelihood and the process of generating more income will require more motivational sessions within the communities, for both men and women. Brain storming sessions should happen with people from the communities as well, and not just the head of the village but those who are may want to take the initiative for a better and safer society (men and women equally).
MEDIATOR/ FACILITATOR HANDHOLIDNG COMMNITIES
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PLANNING BODY
BALIPARA FOUNDATION
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We need more engagement not just from companies or organizations, but from interns and volunteers in and around Guwahati or Assam to be able to expose and mobilize people to the incredible possibilities of a sustainable lifestyle; in the process learning to conserving and developing.
(All pictures attached in the report have been clicked by members of Balipara Foundation)
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