Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision Next revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
site_visit_and_survey_notes [2008-05-18 12:19] – sanjeev | site_visit_and_survey_notes [2008-05-18 16:08] – sanjeev | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
{{: | {{: | ||
- | Though India has been traditionally known for its strong traditional agricultural methods, it is facing one of the worst agrarian crisis since independence. More than **160,000 farmers have committed suicide since 1997**, with the cotton belt of Maharashtra being hit the worst. Impossible debts, loss of ancestral land, expensive genetically modified seeds, large scale dependence on rain, reduction in farm subsidies, unfriendly banks, liberalised economies and moving away from traditional farming practices are some of the contributory factors. Today, the country faces one of the most serious | + | Though India has been traditionally known for its strong traditional agricultural methods, it is facing one of the worst agrarian crisis since independence. More than **160,000 farmers have committed suicide since 1997**, with the cotton belt of Maharashtra being hit the worst. Impossible debts, loss of ancestral land, expensive genetically modified seeds, large scale dependence on rain, reduction in farm subsidies, unfriendly banks, liberalised economies and moving away from traditional farming practices are some of the contributory factors. Today, the country faces one of the most serious |
+ | |||
+ | Demographically, | ||
New Delhi, which is the capital of India has a population of over 15 million. A couple of decades ago the area surrounding the city was mostly agricultural. Today, the city is increasingly in the midst of a continuous urban sprawl. Delhi has over 40% of it citizens living in slum like conditions and over the past decade they are being systematically thrown out. The river banks too were till recently a site for the poor. As demand for scarce land rises, there is an ongoing change in the demographics of residential areas. After a concerted city action in early nineties over 7500 hectares of forest are now legally protected in the city, and through another law, tree cutting needs special permission. Similarly Non Governmental Organisations along with the courts forced the conversion of public transport from diesel to CNG, a cleaner fuel. At the social and physical level, Delhi remains a historical, multi-layered fragmented city, with each fragment contributing in its own way to the city. Such multi layered city character is very common in India and creates a complex dynamic within the city. In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital' | New Delhi, which is the capital of India has a population of over 15 million. A couple of decades ago the area surrounding the city was mostly agricultural. Today, the city is increasingly in the midst of a continuous urban sprawl. Delhi has over 40% of it citizens living in slum like conditions and over the past decade they are being systematically thrown out. The river banks too were till recently a site for the poor. As demand for scarce land rises, there is an ongoing change in the demographics of residential areas. After a concerted city action in early nineties over 7500 hectares of forest are now legally protected in the city, and through another law, tree cutting needs special permission. Similarly Non Governmental Organisations along with the courts forced the conversion of public transport from diesel to CNG, a cleaner fuel. At the social and physical level, Delhi remains a historical, multi-layered fragmented city, with each fragment contributing in its own way to the city. Such multi layered city character is very common in India and creates a complex dynamic within the city. In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital' | ||
Line 30: | Line 32: | ||
* Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | * Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Certain religious institutions in India, like ISKCON(International society for Krishna conciousness) lay special emphasis on organic farming and have a successful model to train people in bio-dynamic farming in their national centre in Karnataka. This is part of the Bio-Dynamic association of India(BDAI).((http:// | ||
For more details about organic farming around Delhi, please click on the links below: | For more details about organic farming around Delhi, please click on the links below: | ||
Line 38: | Line 42: | ||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
- | |||
- | Certain religious institutions in India, like ISKCON(International society for Krishna conciousness) lay special emphasis on organic farming and have a successful model to train people in bio-dynamic farming in their national centre in Karnataka. This is part of the Bio-Dynamic association of India(BDAI).((http:// | ||
===Organic farming in India=== | ===Organic farming in India=== | ||
Line 59: | Line 61: | ||
Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens)((http:// | Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens)((http:// | ||
- | + | | |
- | | + | * Stevia . The processed leaves yield a natural sweetener which is a substitute for table sugar, safe for diabetics, as it does not affect blood sugar levels. |
- | * Stevia | + | * King of biters |
- | * King of biters | + | * Asparagus |
- | * Asparagus | + | * Tinospora Gulancha |
- | * Tinospora Gulancha | + | * Aloe or Gwar Patha. The plant part is used to heal wounds, ulcers, and burns. It is also used to treat liver and spleen ailments. |
- | * Aloe (English), | + | * Winter Cherry |
- | * Winter Cherry | + | * Lemon grass or Gandhatrina. The herb is a stimulant (increases physical or nervous activity), diaphoretic (increases perspiration), |
- | * Lemon grass (English), | + | * Mint or Pudina. The infusion of leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism. Oil from the plant; know as Japanese Mint Oil is used to cure fever. |
- | * Mint (English), | + | * Vasaka |
- | * Vasaka | + | |
This outreach program in urban realms would also lend to revitalising traditional Indian medicinal plant knowledge and create independent seed banks. For more details click on the following articles: | This outreach program in urban realms would also lend to revitalising traditional Indian medicinal plant knowledge and create independent seed banks. For more details click on the following articles: | ||
Line 130: | Line 131: | ||
The complete report can be seen here: | The complete report can be seen here: | ||
* {{: | * {{: | ||
- | |||
====" | ====" |