This Project was supported by JICA. The project implemented by SVSS in Uttar Pradesh, north India, aims to address multiple interconnected challenges in the region. Its primary goals are to restore degraded forests, enhance forest resources, improve the livelihoods of local communities who depend on forests, and promote sustainable forest management. By undertaking these initiatives, the project seeks to contribute to regional environmental improvement and poverty alleviation.
Restoring degraded forests is a critical component of the project. It involves activities such as reforestation, afforestation, and conservation efforts to reverse the negative impacts of deforestation, habitat degradation, and unsustainable land use practices. These efforts are aimed at improving the overall health and resilience of forest ecosystems and enhancing their capacity to provide vital ecological services.
Another crucial aspect of the project is to promote sustainable forest management, which includes the implementation of Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiatives. JFM involves collaboration between local communities, forest department authorities, and other stakeholders to collectively manage and protect forest resources. This approach ensures that the rights and needs of local people are taken into consideration while fostering responsible and sustainable forest practices.
In addition to environmental conservation, the project places significant emphasis on community and tribal development. It recognizes the strong interdependence between forest resources and the livelihoods of local communities. By empowering these communities, the project aims to enhance their resilience, economic opportunities, and overall well-being. This empowerment includes initiatives such as capacity building, skill development, alternative income generation programs, and support for sustainable livelihood practices that are compatible with forest conservation.
The project’s holistic approach recognizes that environmental improvement and poverty alleviation are interlinked goals. By restoring forests and promoting sustainable forest management, it not only helps protect biodiversity and ecosystem services but also creates opportunities for income generation and improved living conditions for local communities. The project aims to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, ensuring the long-term well-being of both. Under this project 1000 beneficiaries were covered.
SVSS has worked in 10 villages of Rajgarh block in Mirzapur. Children and young people used advocacy strategies and campaigns to develop 10 model villages in the region of Uttar Pradesh. This increased accessibility of drinking water facilities, availability of dustbins and proper disposal management. They also involved green clubs to create kitchen gardens, seedbanks and playgrounds in the villages.
In project A, children and young people organised in groups that were created in 10 beneficiary villages where SKVS, the partner organisation, also operated. Collectively the groups managed to gather 258 members. They also organised monthly meetings within their own villages where they discussed key issues related to environmental children’s rights including child rights at large, collection of seeds for plantation, sustainable agriculture and conservation of the ecosystem.
SKVS decided to also create girls’ groups which reached 282 members in 2020. The girls’ groups held regular meetings where issues related to environmental children’s rights were discussed using a gender lens, to explore the specific vulnerabilities of girls vis-à-vis the environment.
In project B, PACE supported the creation of a total of 50 youth groups at state level. Moreover, across 4 districts of Uttar Pradesh they gathered 1698 members out of which 922 were boys and 776 were girls. The youth groups advocated with the local authorities to promote environmental protection, counteract climate change and support activities to increase water accessibility which included addressing drainage issues, waste management and garbage disposal.
Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Samiti
Bundelkhandi, Mirzapur,
Uttar Pradesh (India)
Pin: 231001
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