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Through
our ongoing work with students, womens' groups, farmers and the local
village communities there was identified a need for a place where
people could meet, take part in workshops and observe demonstrations of
organic agricultural principles and environmentally sustainable
practices. To this end, a two acre plot of land adjacent to the NEEC
was purchased in 2005 through the Kaliveli Environment Education Trust.
It
is envisaged that this site will become a central part of the community
where organic programmes and ideas can be developed and implemented.
A number of structures and activities have been established at the site that include:
- A women's centre where groups can meet, take part in workshops, plan village development and
coordinate their income generating programmes. - A
health drink preparation area where 50 underweight students receive a
special highly nutritious drink supplement to encourage healthy minds
and bodies.
- Four
spirulina tanks producing spirulina to include in the health drink
programme. The spirulina units are also a case in point for income
generation for womens' self help groups and their programmes; and the
SHG members are responsible for monitoring and preparing the spirulina.
- A
demonstration vegetable garden displaying organic farming principles
such as the use of effective micro-organisms (EM), panchakavya,
vermi-compost, amrut pani and integrated pest management.
The
vegetables are used for the health drink programme with additional
produce being sold in the local market as an income generating activity
for self help groups.
- A
medicinal plant garden with information signboards to provide a
demonstration of household herbal gardens and simple herbal health
remedies. The plants are also to be used as raw materials for the
future herbal medicine dispensary that is to be established at the
women's centre.
- An
indigenous plant nursery that currently has 30000 seedlings of the
Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest for use in plantation programmes and
nursery development. It also provides the basis for nursery training
for womens' self help groups.
- Accomodation and offices where project staff can coordinate and monitor the various activities.
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