ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND REJUVENATION

  “The millennium ecosystem assessment confirmed that land degradation, deforestation, and unsustainable agriculture have dramatically increased the ecological footprint of crop, livestock, fishery and forest production. Eco-rehabilitation and sustainable production rely on maximizing the ecological, economic and social synergies among them, and minimizing the conflicts.

                                                                                                            -         D.N. Tewari.

            Sustainability is not an option but imperative. For a better world to live in, we need clear air, safe water, nutritional food, healthy environment and greenery around us. Without sustainable and secure livelihoods, environmental deterioration and economic decline will be feeding on each other leading to poverty, pollution, poor health, biodiversity, erosion and land degradation.

            Utthan tackled the problems of environmental degradation in a holistic manner in order to ensure both the economic growth and sustainability, including social upliftment of the people by implementing the following schemes:-

Rehabilitation of surface soil mined degraded areas in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India

         Twenty villages, 6 km upward to “Sangam” Allahabad, covering about 5000 hectare of area were ravaged due to rampant mining of the top soil  upto a depth of 4 meters by the local brick industries. In absence of productive soil and moisture the area became unfit for cultivation and faced following problems: -

• During summer due to heating of the refractory soil of brick kiln areas, the temperature use to shoot  upto 50⁰ C, causing hot winds to rise upward and cold winds rushing from over Ganga and Yamuna rivers turning into cyclonic winds. Such cyclones use to uproot thousands of electricity and telephone poles, demolish many houses and submerge many boats in the river, causing death of many people besides spreading dust in Allahabad city every year.

• Area suffered scarcity of water, food, fuel and fodder and suffered from other livelihood problems.

• People became poor, male members migrated to various parts of the country in search of jobs leaving behind aged, women and children to sustain themselves.

• These villages indicated high incidence of tuberculosis, leprosy, eye disease & malaria. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) & Crude Death Rate (CDR) were found highest.

• Unsocial activities increased disproportionately disturbing peace and happiness of the area.

For the rehabilitation of this area, a project was formulated by  Utthan which was financially supported by IDRC / INBAR in 1997. Methodology and systems approach followed included: -

• Division of the area in 100 micro-watersheds for contour bunding and leveling of the fields for soil and water conservation.

• Formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women owning these lands for each micro-watershed.

• Imparting training to the beneficiaries on soil and water conservation, nursery raising and afforestation and eco-rehabilitation of such areas.

• Establishment of an irrigated nursery, 5 hectare in area with mist chamber, green house and green net to produce 5 million saplings of the following species:-

o       Bamboo species

o       Anthocephalus cadamba

o       Moringa oleosa

o       Jatropha curcas

o       Fodder yielding species.

o       Medicinal plant species.

•  Promotion of agroforestry models by providing technical know-how, supply of saplings and after care of agroforestry crops.

• Promotion of organic farming for the cultivation of medicinal plants.

After three years of the Project implementation, the ground realities are as under:- 

• The area has become flush green; the frequency and intensity of dust storms & cyclones have reduced substantially lessening the harm to the people of Allahabad city.

• Through the sale of milk, medicinal plants and bamboo articles, nearly 20,000 families have been able to come above the poverty line.

• Jatropha curcas oil provided energy security for each household and now no one in the community is purchasing kerosene and diesel.

• Migration of male members is almost stopped and the migrated ones have returned to their villages having peace, prosperity and happiness.

• Use of drugs from medicinal plants improved nutrition and health of the people.

• Underground water table has gone up, productivity of soil has improved and cyclone winds have disappeared.

  ·      Once the area started yielding fodder (towards the end of 2nd year) beneficiaries were provided milch cattle with the help of NABARD and marketing of milk was arranged through Diary Development Department.

  ·      Medicinal plants such as Ghritkumari, kalmegh, shatawar, gurach, ashwagandha, brahmi etc. were purchased by pharmaceutical companies at competitive rates.

  ·      Training of people in bamboo crafts and bamboo furniture making which are in great demand in Allahabad city and in other areas.

   

   Demonstration effect of this project has been as under: -

  ·      The International Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), Bejing made a documentary video film on this project and screened it in several countries in Asia, Africa, North America and South America.

  ·      During World Bamboo Congress (2004 at New Delhi), the participants from 68 countries (such as China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, etc.) visited the project at Allahabad and appreciated the eco-rehabilitation work taken up by Utthan.

  ·      Many cities in India and other countries have started adopting this model for greening the surface soil mined areas rampant in outer city boundaries.

   

  Other Eco-rehabilitation Efforts of  Utthan included the following:-

  ·      Utthan helped in eco-rehabilitation of calcium mined areas of  Dehradun in Himalaya. The implementation of watershed approach has resulted in increased flow of water in “nalas” and is yielding adequate fodder for the cattle.  

  ·      Utthan helped 20 Municipal Corporations in eco-rehabilitation of surface soil mined areas in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana & Punjab states. These areas have started producing fuel, fodder, fiber and have become green giving the environmental benefits.

   

   Cultivation of Jatropha for Biodiesel Production

              “The Nationals Bio-fuel Mission Committee” was headed by the President of Utthan, which emphasized that energy independence is the life line of the nation. The rapidly increasing consumption of fossil fuel is a matter of serious concern to the nation as it involves large outflow of foreign exchange and also increases pollutant load in the environment.

              Jatropha curcas is a hardy plant and is commonly found growing in  gravel, sandy and clay soils. Its water requirement is low (250 mm rainfall) and it can grow on saline, alkaline soils normally classified as wastelands. India has nearly 60 million hectares of wastelands, of which 30 million hectares can be made available for Jatropha plantations capable of yielding 60 million tones of bio-diesel annually on a sustained basis. Bio-diesel is carbon neutral and also has other environmental advantages as under: -

  ·     Particulate matter (PM) emissions are 30% lower than diesel.

  ·     Carbon dioxide emissions are 78% lesser than diesel.

  ·     Carbon monoxide exhaust emissions are 50% lower than diesel.

  ·     Hydrocarbon exhaust emissions are 93% lower than diesel.

  ·     The overall ozone (smog) forming hydrocarbon emissions are 50% lesser than that of diesel fuel.

  ·     Bio-diesel reduces the health risks (associated with diesel) by releasing decreased levels of Ploycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrate PAH compounds by 75 to 80%.

  ·     Bio-diesel is a clean burning and renewable fuel.

  ·     Reduces overall exhaust emission, is biodegradable and non toxic.

   

              In 2003, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai sanctioned a project to Utthan on “Jatropha cultivation as a bio-diesel crop” and provided financial assistance of Rs. 21.3 million. The salient features of this Project are: -

  ·      Identification of best available Jatropha strains.

  ·      Quick propagation of identified variety.

  ·      Standardization of nursery and plantation techniques.

  ·      Demonstration of plantations on various types of wastelands.

  ·      Awareness programme for farmers.

  ·      Capacity building through training and demonstrations.

  ·      Production of Bio-diesel and other products from Jatropha seed.

  ·      Carrying out research for supporting the National Mission on Bio-Diesel as under: -  

  §      Progeny/ provenance trail of high yielding varieties (early and heavy fruit yielder and rich in oil content);

  §      Spacing and crop management trials for faster growth and higher yield.

  §      Marketing of Jatropha seeds.

   

   

  The project was implemented over 700 ha of wastelands in Kaurihar block of Allahabad district. Other details of the project are: -

  ·      Two nurseries were raised at Kotwa and Kataula villages and 3 million saplings were raised. Mycorrhizal inoculation was done in the nursery.

  ·      Wasteland was divided into a number of micro-watersheds for soil and water conservation at a spacing of 2m x 2m.

  ·      Pits of 30 x 30 x 30 cms were dug and a Farm Yard Manure, soil and sand mixture at 1/3:1/3:1/3 ratio was prepared and the pits filled with the mixture.

  ·      Saplings were planted during rainy season and mulching was done after rains.

  ·      Plants were pruned in the month of October- November to get maximum number of branches.

  ·      Seed yield per plant was 500 grams in the first year, 1000 grams in the second year and 2 kilogram in third year.

  ·      Utthan established a one ton/per day capacity bio-diesel plant at  Koatwa village and is running generators, tractors and irrigation pumps using B100 bio-diesel.

  ·       Intercropping practices, including  Aloevera crop improved the economy of Jatropha planters.  

  ·      Due to menace of ‘Blue bulls (Nil gai), farmers were unable to get any returns from agriculture. By planting  jatropha on the field boundaries (bunds), the field crops were saved and farmers also started getting Jatropha oil for consumption.

  ·      Banana cultivators were suffering a loss of about  Rs.50,000 per hectare / per year due to scorching of banana plants by hot winds blowing in the summer. Two rows of Jatropha plantation on the boundary of banana fields, completely saved the banana crop from scorching damages.

Demonstration effect of this project has been as under –

·      Nearly one million farmers visited the project site and carried planting material with them to their places.

·      International teams from IFAD, ICRAF, FAO, Brazil and Japan visited the site and collected information on various aspects of Jatropha cultivation.

·      National teams from Govt. of India, state governments, oil companies, bankers, research organizations etc. visited the site and collected information.

·      A number of research scholars from Netherlands, Belgium and Spain are regularly collecting the data for their post graduate research work on Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production for energy security.

Impact of the Project on Environment

·      Greening of degraded areas by raising economically viable crops yielding bio-diesel, glycerin and herbal drugs.

·      Soil and water conservation and an increase in the productivity of the area as well as a positive impact on hydrology.

·      Jatropha plantation contributed towards carbon sequestration, thereby providing clean and green environment and possibility of carbon trading.

·      Generated employment and economic upliftment of poor people.

·      Contribution in checking desertification and the felling of remaining vegetation in the marginal wastelands.

·      Jatropha plantations are green oil fields as a renewable source of energy, thus bio-diesel or green fuel production checked degradation of the environment and also improved rural livelihoods.

·      Jatropha oil cake promoted organic farming.

·      Improved ecosystem and environmental sustainability.  

Continuing Activities of Utthan in Jatropha Cultivation & Bio-diesel Production

·      Training and capacity building of those interested in Jatropha cultivation from India and abroad.

·      Supply of quality seeds and saplings.

·      Research and development to identify superior clones and for utilizing various products of Jatropha.

·      Earning carbon credits.

Rain Water Harvesting and Utilization

            Chhattisgarh State has an average rainfall of 1400 mm during rainy season and mono cropping is rampant due to non-availability of moisture after November. In  such areas water was retained in the “nalas” (drainage channels) and rivers by constructing anicut / diversion channels. Utthan demonstrated micro irrigation in 20 tribal villages which was able to double the production by raising two crops in a year, increased fish production and made available adequate water for domestic consumption and for improving hydrology and environment.

         The state government of  Chhattisgarh has accepted this approach as a model and started construction of about 600  anicuts and micro-irrigation practices. The programme is being adopted by the states of  Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Environment Fair Organization

             Utthan organized a one month environment fair during  Kumbh & Ardhkumbh at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. During Magh mela every year at Sangam, Allahabad Utthan regularly organizes an environment fair for a period of one month. During these fairs, which are normally attended by 20 million people, we strive to promote natural resources saving and environmental friendly activities. Through lectures, drama, film show etc. we explain the people about environmental protection and sustainable development as under:-

·     Explained about the damage of air and water pollution, land degradation and ways and means for their control.

·     Demonstrated lesser waste generation and better management which can improve economy and environment. Agricultural waste should be converted into compost for organic farming to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer which on leaching pollutes the water and degrades the soil. Burning of grasses, straw etc. should be avoided to reduce air pollution.

·     Emphasized to enhance the production of green fuel (ethanol, bio-diesel) and hydel power to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change.

·     Promoted proper hygienic and sanitary practices. We emphasize that open defecation, urination and all other unsanitary activities should be avoided near water sources such as tanks, wells, rivers, lakes etc.

·     Demonstrated technologies for rain water harvesting, and promote recycling and reuse of water and drip irrigation to save water.

·     Poverty is the greatest polluter, hence we must develop and demonstrate means to eradicate it so that there is a common future for all.

·      Explained about the damage of air and water pollution, land degradation and ways and means for their control.

·      Greening should be promoted to ensure ecological, food and livelihood security, leading to poverty eradication and for mitigation of adverse impact of pollution and climate change.

·      Sustainability is not an option but imperative. Without sustainable livelihood systems, environmental deterioration and economic decline will be feeding on each other, leading to accelerate poverty, pollution, poor health, political upheavals and unrest.

·      Inventiveness and ingenuity are needed in sustainable use of natural resources and leapfrogging in terms of technological protection and management.

·      Important drivers of environmental change cannot be only government laws, regulations, funds or technology but environmental friendly society in which people adopt a way of production and life-style that promotes harmonious coexistence of human with nature.

Environmental Education in Schools

Air and water pollution, land degradation, deforestation, desertification, loss of biodiversity, flood and drought and other natural disasters are some of the environmental problems that need to be addressed by educating children, the future citizens of the country. Utthan has ten qualified environment teachers, visiting each of schools in Kaushambi & Allahabad and teaching the subject of environment. Students are specially taught about management of natural resources, sanitation, nutrition and less generation of waste material. Such education and knowledge so far have created new and inventive thinking in 120,000 students towards environmental protection and a sustainable lifestyle.