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We at Raah Foundation believe that Women empowerment is a misnomer – woman is extremely empowered and strong irrespective of where she is from?– fighting all odds since birth, going against the tide through life yet becoming the backbone of her family and preserving the cultural fabric of the society. All we hence do is make her aware of her inner hidden skills and talents, hone them through niche capacity building, provide her with opportunities to use them economically, socially and politically and finally provide her with a position of respect and dignity in different committees we form for sustainable development. When we started working in the tribal indigenous areas our hearts sank at seeing the women there. Beautiful, extremely charming, passionate, ever smiling while going through some serious hardships in life. Severe water scarcity kept her constantly walking with heavy pots of water on head creating long term repercussions on her health. She was forced to ignore her children as water was the basic elixir of life and everything else could wait. Bereft of any local opportunities or skills, her husband was forced to migrate to work as an unskilled labour to urban markets leaving her alone to handle multiple responsibilities. We clearly had to do something. We soon started working in these areas with a vengeance with a vision of creating a better, healthier and happier world for the indigenous communities. The first task we undertook was understanding the root cause by delayering the intertwined social problems. The root cause clearly that emerged was severe water scarcity. Ironically in spite of being the highest rainfall areas of Maharashtra. We had to fix water problem on an absolute priority. We launched program Malhar that has the objective of creating water secure & positive villages. We work on augmenting the water availability by creating rain water harvesting structures which provide year round water. While regulating the demand through water usage frameworks. We were stunned when through a research we found that this has the potential to free over 1200 hours annually for the women. Now with water (drinking and for hygiene) was available in her own village she was saving time to walk for hours for water. The biggest uptake of this was it gave her more control on her own life. When we asked them what she wants to do with this time ? Half of them said they just want to rest as they are tired walking for hours with heavy pots of water on head. Some decided to use the time to earn an additional income while some others chose to spend better quality time with their children. Sarlatai from Umbervangan even joked saying that her body was so used this chore that for the first few months she might just have to go and spend the day near the water source as since the time she remembers – she was only done that in life. Our water program is bottom up and involves the community for water demand management. We saw this as a great opportunity to involve women at the community level as water guardians. We conceptualised and implemented a gender neutral water management committee. Women initially were hesitant but they soon opened and realised that they need to exercise their power – over water, and over how the village uses water and importantly creating frameworks to ensure water sustainability for their children. Once they realised that they have a voice and can talk and people listen, once they realised that they can decide and people follow, they felt super empowered and started participating in other social, political and economic decision making at community, village and block levels. Ranjana tai from Balkapra started her public foray with our Malhar or water management committee and is now Upsarpanch of her village. When I talk to her I feel so elated that our ecofeminism approach has not only helped bring sustainability but importantly brought women to the fore and now they are taking development in their own hands. In my first meeting with Ranjana, she was a shy young woman with 4 children hiding behind her and she was refusing to look into my eyes while talking to me. When I went to her village after couple of months I noticed a difference – she was still shy but had the courage of looking into my eyes while communicating. The moment I saw those beautiful big black eyes, I felt humbled. She had found her self-worth and had improved self- esteem.Once we solved the water problem and village had abundant water – women had time and men who were mostly small and marginal farmers too could look at year round agriculture opportunities instead of migrating. We launched Program Urja to support women start micro enterprises. Women as you would all know are of different types – some are born leaders while others are followers, some like to work independently while some others like to work in the comfort of a group. We decided to address all of these categories of women by creating sub programs for individual women as well as group businesses. We scan the village for gaps and create sustainable opportunities from starting a grocery shop to a blacksmith business, a flour mill to a tailoring shop. We then identify a woman who wants to use this opportunity to uplift her life. Our art and product based group businesses like quilting, grass weaving, textile and plastic waste upcycling has and would involve over 1000 women going forward. Grass weaving is done by sitting in one place and this provided us with an opportunity to physically differently abled girls. Manisha Bhoye, Vanita Malkari and Champa Burange are part of our first cohort who are earning a decent income and this is helping them accept life as it is with more elan. We curate and create opportunities and She has the freedom to choose what she wants. We talk to her and encourage her to listen to

Their smile was infectious and so was their simplicity! A quick work visit took me to a tiny village called Khoripada in Nashik district. At around 12PM, breeze was cooler. As I spoke with the tribal women of Khoripada, a cheerful tone of conversation was quickly set. Two years back, when we started our ecological restoration programme in Nashik-rural division, we adapted strategic approach to the ecosystem recreation and rejuvenation process. The projection of restorable land in next six years was 50,000 acres. The community engagement and development were integral parts of the project. Amongst the multiple important aspects, the consistent and qualitative supply of native saplings was the critical one. The local and native species were the highest priority, their thriving and sustaining capacity being much higher. The easier solution was to collaborate with large scale nurseries and get the saplings. But we decided to go the traditional way. Since many many years, the rurals followed the tradition of collecting seeds of trees, vegetables, and plants. These seeds were stored in variety of containers made of mud, bamboo or simple jute bags. Seeds were then not only used for regeneration, but excess quantities were sold in local markets for small additional income Once our approach firmed up, our team was out on a mission to search the villages in and around Nashikwho are willing to work with us and supply the seeds. In this quest, we met Mr Shankar Shinde from Khoripada village, lovingly called as Shankar baba. With his help, we approached a small self-help group of tribal women. We had a lively chat with them and shared our purpose. They happily agreed. It was win-win for both of us as seeds that will otherwise drift away in rains will be put to right use and women will earn livelihood. Finishing all the morning chores, we headed to forest with the women. The seed collection process was not as easy as it seemed. The terrain was mix of high, low and rough lands. To search for the seeds through mulch was risky as the forest hosted wide variety of wildlife. But the women were rock solid. They knew how to be out of harm’s way by simply abiding by the rules of nature well. As their traditional melodies permeated along the way, all the fear was gone. Knowing the seasonality of species and recognizing the right time and right seeds, were the skills they had naturally acquired. We could trace ample variety of shapes, colours and sizes of seeds. The flat papery-winged seeds of Indian Trumpet tree often travel some distance like butterflies as the long pods bursts. Nature’s phenomenal mechanisms to regenerate itself left us in awe. These tribal women not only collect variety of seeds of native species but also aggressively protect rare species like Padre tree pods as they are popular vegetable too. The seeds of Saag, Behda, Sadadfal and many other trees collected through multiple forest visits are then stored in thick jute bags to avoid any spoilage. We at regular intervals keep collecting seeds from them and pay them off as per the mutual agreements. These seeds are thenpassed on to the local Agro Nursery. Some part of the lot is converted to seed balls to spread out in difficult terrains of mountains. Others are utilized to generate saplings. These saplings are then used for the plantation work at the stipulated site. We also have started a seed bank where all seeds that are collected are catalogued and inventoried. The process has been a great success, and we look forward to collaborating with more such villages, actively engaging the local communities and encouraging them to be stewards of the ecosystem conservation and restoration process. As we moved through the process of seed collection, the ecologist from our team pointed out some changed patterns of flowering and fruiting. Aphenomenon of flowering and gradually maturing to fruits during seasons, scientifically being termed as ‘Phenology’, were observed to face consequences ofclimate change in some of the species. Trees of Cassia Fistula, for example, are flowering in some region, in some they are yet to flower whereas some trees have matured pods already. All this is in one forest. The worsening effects of climate change motivated us even more, to do more what we do. With every village, starts a journey of dream, from a seed to sapling, to a sustainable tomorrow!

A Story of Change “It was a repetitive cycle of extensive hardships and struggle, and however we tried, could not break it. But now it’s totally changed for me and I am changing it for others too”, Vanita’s (name changed) eyes sparkle as she speaks. Yes, it’s a story of hardships and struggle. But moreover, it’s a story of resilience, hard work and creating self-identity. Vanita was working at a mall at Thane before Corona pandemic struck in 2020. Very soon she lost her job due to lockdown and had to be back to her tiny village, in Jawhar Tehsil of Palghar district in Maharashtra. Other than a small grocery shop, she didn’t have any source of income back then. Eventually she and her husband started working on daily wages under MNREGA scheme, but still the earning was miniscule to meet the ends. Over a year passed in that struggle. In 2022, Raah Foundation, as a part of their Sustainable Livelihoods program, approached Junglepada village and explained their plan to provide the digital and financial literacy training to the community. “Initially I was quite reluctant. I was not sure if I should invest my time in this and if it will really help me. But Raah team told me that I should at least try once and then decide”, says Vanita. Inspite of multiple doubts in mind, Vanita joined the Digital literacy training to become an E-Dost. This training focussed on BankIt app functionalities and biometric device to do various banking operations like cash withdrawal, mini statement, balance enquiry to name a few. The women were given hands-on experience to work on the app and understand its functions. “Trainer dada told that we can get one rupee commission from the Bankit app if we use this app. He taught us how to avail state and national level services like creating PAN card, land records, AADHAR card and many more with the Bankit app”, Vanita shares very excitedly, “This was the moment my mind started changing!” She then slowly started helping community members for simple banking operations. People in the community would need a whole day to travel to bank even for balance enquiry as there were only one or two buses. They would also lose their daily wage. With a service through Bankit app, Vanita not only saved their travel time and money but started earning commissions for herself. Vanita being a self-motivated woman, did not stop there. She started helping for creating Aadhar card, PAN card, digital land records and more services like these through app and soon became a trusted E-dost in the community. Vanita’s journey did not stop there. With the great interest, Vanita joined Raah’s financial literacy training sessions along with few other women of her community. An expert started financial literacy training, module by module, explaining financial planning, budget, savings and why it is essential. In next few days, she spoke about banking & banking facilities, loan, investment and self-help groups. Raah also trained them on Mera Bill app which was useful for microbusinesses like small grocery shops or flour grinding machines etc. and provided them with the smart phones as well to use this app. Post the training, Raah gifted a piggy bank to all the women participants to motivate them for daily savings. Though a humble start, we knew, it will go a long way! The app operations were simple and in vernacular language making it easier for rural communities to comprehend. Initially Vandana started using Mera Bill app for keeping records of her grocery shop. After a month, she could see the profits she earned, stocks and the pending payments. This built her confidence in running and growing her business slowly and steadily. When she was asked by Raah to train other women of her community and village on financial literacy, she agreed within no time. She was trusted by women of her community so much that they started keeping their piggy banks with her and ensure that their family does not spend money unnecessarily. Through this initiative, she trained over 270 women of her community and the work still continues. Vandana’s dedicated efforts slowly motivated women of her community to use their bank accounts, deposit the small amounts and start earning interests as well. Gradually settled and earning money through E-Dost work and her grocery shop, Vandana has developed self-identity and is a proud micro-entrepreneur, an inspiration to other women. “The profit and loss are a part of any small or big business. But the courage and motivation to start, is very important and Raah trained us so well that I could dare to step forward. Whenever I meet didi from Raah, I feel the warmth of a family”, Vandana expresses her gratitude in soft words.

World Mountain Day Rejuvenating the Jewel!

Western Ghats: India’s Natural Treasure Western Ghats: A Lifescape India houses a unique natural treasure, the Western Ghats, which are ancient mountains that play an essential role in shaping the country’s ecological diversity and cultural heritage. Stretching over a considerable expanse of approximately 160,000 square kilometers, the Western Ghats form a significant part of the mountainous terrain in India. This mountain range is a testament to the country’s geological richness, spanning several states and showcasing an unparalleled bounty of biodiversity. Renowned as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the Western Ghats boasts an astonishing array of flora and fauna. Its lush forests and vibrant ecosystems harbor various life forms, contributing immensely to the nation’s ecological wealth. Classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Western Ghats are home to numerous species classified under varying conservation statuses. From the critically endangered lion-tailed macaque to the vulnerable Malabar large-spotted civet, these mountains shelter a rich tapestry of wildlife, with many species facing varying degrees of threat. Beyond its ecological significance, the Western Ghats hold historical and cultural significance. Indigenous communities have resided in these hills for centuries, nurturing a symbiotic relationship with nature and contributing traditional knowledge to biodiversity conservation. However, these pristine mountains face an array of modern-day challenges. Urbanization, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and unsustainable agricultural practices pose severe threats to the delicate balance of this biodiversity hotspot. The encroachment of human activities endangers the wildlife and the indigenous communities dependent on these ecosystems. The Living World The Western Ghats, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, hosts a rich array of flora and fauna, including numerous species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) under the Red List Data of Rare, Endangered & Threatened Species (RET). This designation categorizes species based on their conservation status, highlighting those facing endangerment. Numerous faunal species residing in the Western Ghats have been classified under different threat levels by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Some of the significant species under threat are: The Western Ghats is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot that harbors an exceptional variety of plant species, many of which are listed under the Red List Data of Rare, Endangered & Threatened Species (RET) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Due to habitat loss, deforestation, climate change, and human activities, several plants in the Western Ghats face varying degrees of threat. Here are a few noteworthy RET plant species found in the Western Ghats: The Western Ghats houses a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the abovementioned species. However, the survival of these species is at risk due to various factors such as habitat loss, deforestation, climate change, and human activities. To ensure the preservation of biodiversity in the Western Ghats, engaging in conservation efforts, habitat preservation and restoration, sustainable land management practices, and community engagement is essential. These measures can help safeguard the future of these remarkable species. How much is its spread? The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the western coast of India. They cover multiple states and a diverse range of ecosystems. The states that make up the Western Ghats are Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. In Maharashtra, the Western Ghats extend through parts of the state, including the Sahyadri Range and hill stations like Mahabaleshwar. Portions of the Western Ghats also run through Goa, offering rich biodiversity and verdant landscapes. Significant stretches of the Western Ghats are present in Karnataka, including the Nilgiri Hills, Kodagu, and various wildlife sanctuaries. In Kerala, most Western Ghats cover areas like Wayanad, Munnar, and Periyar National Park. In Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats extend into the Nilgiris and Anaimalai Hills, which are known for their biodiversity. A smaller portion of the Western Ghats also touches the union territory of Puducherry. These states collectively host a plethora of ecosystems, diverse flora and fauna, and numerous endemic species, contributing significantly to India’s biodiversity. The Western Ghats serve as a critical watershed and habitat for various species, making it a crucial ecological region that warrants conservation and protection efforts. Get Up and Act! Because …. The Western Ghats, a natural wonder of India, is facing significant threats to its biodiversity due to the degradation and loss of its mountain ecosystems. There are several reasons for this alarming trend: The Western Ghats face various threats to their ecosystems, which put many species at risk of extinction and compromise the region’s ecological resilience. Urgent and concerted efforts are necessary to mitigate these threats and maintain the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the Western Ghats. Sustainable land-use practices, conservation strategies, community engagement, and strict enforcement of environmental regulations are crucial to safeguard this natural heritage for current and future generations. In summary, the Western Ghats symbolize nature’s beauty and represent India’s rich biodiversity. Preserving and protecting this natural heritage is not just a choice but a responsibility that requires everyone’s joint efforts to ensure the continued existence of this ecological wonder. As keepers of these priceless mountains, we must cherish, protect, and support the Western Ghats to benefit present and future generations. The author of this article is Mr Rishikesh Patil, VP – Ecological Restoration at Raah Foundation

“Should we Really worry?” I wonder where the green grass went,All buried under the new cement.I wonder where the birds have flown,They have gone to find another home.India’s most loved storyteller Ruskin Bond couldn’t resist writing these lines about theenvironmental loss, but Should We Really Worry? Mountain ecosystems are highly sensitive to climate change, as they have a delicate balance of flora and fauna, and unique topography. These ecosystems, often referred to as ‘Water Towers’, provide resources that directly or indirectly benefit billions of people. Mountains also offer vital ‘Ecosystem Services’. However, the escalating changes in climate patterns that are irreversible are posing severe threats to the delicate balance of mountain ecosystems. These changes are triggering cascading effects on biodiversity, water availability, and human livelihoods. Can we sense the Altered Temperature & Precipitation Patterns?Climate change is altering temperature and precipitation patterns in mountainous regions at an accelerated pace. Glaciers are melting and downstream freshwater quantity is being affected. No doubt, the timing and quality of water is also compromised. Both biotic and abiotic components are facing consequences of the same. As a result, these alterations disrupt the natural hydrological cycle, leading to erratic water flows, increased risks of flooding, and ultimately, water scarcity in lower-lying areas during crucial periods. And what about the ‘life’ dependent on the water? Is it reproducing at the natural rate? I believe that the natural Carrying Capacity of each microhabitat is being impacted! What is the reason to worry about Biodiversity?Mountains are known for their diverse gradients, which support a variety of keystone and flagship species. These species provide habitats for many dependent floral and faunal species, and their adaptability to specific altitudes, climates, and microhabitats makes these associations possible. However, with changing climate conditions, many species are forced to migrate permanently as they fail to survive in new climatic conditions. This results in habitat fragmentation and ultimately a loss of biodiversity. Is it possible to ‘compute the worth’ of Ecosystem Services?Mountain ecosystems are crucial for providing important services such as freshwater supply, carbon storage, and regulation of downstream water flow. However, the deterioration of these habitats can negatively impact these services, resulting in a decline in water quality, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased susceptibility to natural disasters like landslides and flash floods.Additionally, the release of stored carbon from thawing permafrost and degraded vegetation can worsen global warming, creating a feedback loop that further accelerates climate change. How are livelihoods and local communities being impacted?The diversity of plants is crucial for the ‘conservation’ of Non-timber Forest Produce (NTFP), which is a primary source of income for tribal communities. These tribal communities, particularly those residing in mountain regions, rely heavily on these ecosystems for their livelihoods, including agriculture, tourism, and traditional practices.The alterations in precipitation patterns and loss of biodiversity directly impact their food security, economic stability, and cultural heritage. Indigenous peoples face a grave threat of losing their ancestral lands and traditions due to the changing landscape and diminishing resources. Could we alter the situation?Efforts to minimize the impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems require global cooperation and decisive actions. It is crucial to implement policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve and restore degraded habitats, promote sustainable land management practices, and support indigenous knowledge and community-based adaptation strategies.Besides, enhancing scientific research and monitoring systems can aid in understanding and predicting the changes, facilitating proactive measures to safeguard these vulnerable ecosystems. So…should we really worry? Guess, you have the answer! The author of this article is Mr Rishikesh Patil, VP – Ecological Restoration at Raah Foundation