(On the occasion of International Day of Action for Rivers) The Lifeline of Civilization Since the dawn of civilization, rivers have played an indispensable role in shaping human societies. Ancient civilizations, including those of the Indus, Mesopotamia, and the Nile, developed along riverbanks due to the availability of water essential for drinking, agriculture, and transportation. Rivers have served as major trade routes and sources of hydroelectric power while...

The world depends on soil for around 95 per cent of its food production. Healthy soils can also help achieve six of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Goal 2 (Zero hunger), Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Goal 12 (Responsible production and consumption), Goal 13 (Climate action), and Goal 15 (Life on land). One of the fundamental components of healthy...

Sakur, Shiroshi, Saturli, and many other picturesque villages, inhabited by the Warli, Kokna, and Katkari tribes, are some of the most draught prone villages in the Jawhar and Mokhada blocks of Palghar District. Mosaic of challenges In the interior villages of #Jawhar and #Mokhada blocks of Palghar districts in Maharashtra, the summer and rains pose their own challenges. Despite being one of the highest rainfall areas, it swiftly...

In the serene yet challenging landscape of Palghar district, in the hamlet of Ramkhind within the village of Pathardi in Jawhar block of Palghar district, Maharashtra, resides Tai Kashiram Bhoye. Coming from a marginalized tribal community, Tai’s story is one of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. A Day in the Life Every morning before dawn, Tai Kashiram Bhoye rises with the first light of day....

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...

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...