Sewa International

PRAWAH Uttarakhand
(Participatory Rejuvenation, Afforestation &
Waste-management Along Himalayan-springs)

An Overview

The project PRAWAH is a multi-sectoral approach that promotes public awareness and participation in local litter clean-ups, afforestation drive and actions to improve local environment and to provide clean and safe drinking water to the population dependent on springs in Himalayan region. Rejuvenation of springs is crucial for building resilience to tackle climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. This project was launched in late December 2019 with the aim of rejuvenating and restoring natural water springs in a way that involves active participation of all relevant stakeholders in the community to ensure a sustainable model.

At the initial stage of the project, our focus is to resuscitate the “Khankhara Gadera” (natural water springs locally called as Gadera) has 7km long range from Dewar village to Shri Uttrakhand Ayurvedic Medical Institute College Vidyapeeth in Guptkashi of Rudraprayag district. It is located along the Kedarnath Bio-Reserve forest, originates from Dewar village and confluences with Mandakini River, near Bhainsari village. And it has been planned to replicate this initiative as a model for other such Gaderas in the Himalayan region. The aim and objectives of the project is to achieve the desired outcome as follows,

Making the stream plastic free
Restoration of bio-diversity along the catchment area through afforestation
Impacting the volume of water flow
Revival of nutritional and microbial balance of the water
Recharging the water capillaries
Developing solid waste management system

Activities

Implementation: In the implementation phase five major activities have been taken into consideration are cleaning, aggregation, segregation, disposal system, catchment area plantation, Information Education Communication (IEC) activities.
Capacity Building Training: Capacity building is the major aspect intended to train all our volunteers turn into master trainers, to give opportunity for exposure visits, conduct training and workshops for local youth and recycling & reusing craft making workshops for converting into best out of waste.
Sustainability: For the sustainability measures into our project, regular follow up, accountability, people’s participation, intensive involvement and coordination with all key stakeholders, regular monitoring & evaluation are well-thought-out and planned.

Community Mobilisation: Mobilizing the community by bringing together as many stakeholders such as villagers, schools students, members of CBOs, Social Workers, elected representatives of PRIs, ASHA and AWC workers to sensitize them about spring water conservation. This is the most significant step to participate collectively, understand the issues and address the water contamination factors & health impacts. Under this process the activities have been undertaken related to baseline survey, village level meetings, identification of volunteers, identification of vulnerable dumping yards, school level mobilization, cleanliness campaign and street plays.

Milestones at a Glance

After baseline survey, community meeting held in Dewar village on 22 December, 2019.
25 dumping yards identified as vulnerable to environmental risks and health problems.
22 volunteers so far identified and selected to carry out the activities on ground on a regular basis.
Village committees formed in three villages – Dewar, Sankari and Bahisari, following the village level meetings.

Feedback

I am grateful to Sewa International for providing me with this opportunity. I visited the place where this school began and was baffled at how 55 people could live in that small place. It takes great vision and dedication to complete such a task. We all know that education is the route from poverty to fulfillment. People with disability are at certain disadvantage but a facility like this provides them with the opportunity to realize their potential. I want to thank all of you.. the teachers, people who have made this possible, Sewa international and on behalf of UK parliament, I would like to say that you've made a difference! Let's pledge to make this difference in all the states across Bharat together. Let's give everyone an opportunity to become the best they can.
- Bob Blackman
The experience and exposure provided by Sewa International was very enriching. It is heartening to see people not giving up easily despite unfavourable conditions.
- Aneesh S V L S
- MBA Student at NIFTEM, Sonipat, Haryana
Wonderful experience. The visit helped us in gaining a better understanding of the challenges faced by the village residents in terms of food technology and processing.
- Raunak
- B. Tech. Student at NIFTEM, Sonipat, Haryana
Sewa International is doing a phenomenal jobin Uttarakhand providing means of sustainable development to the community specially women under various banners like Sewa Krishi, Sewa Arogyam, Sewa Mahila Jyoti etc. The mobile health van is a unique concept providing advanced services like ECG, Xray and other investigations at affordable prices. The team understands the need of volunteers and visitors and delivers accordingly. You don't feel like an outsider and they welcome you warmly into their family. I would request you to help them in their noble cause in any way you can.
- Dr. Nihkil Garg
Great initiatives by sewa. It feels great to work with people to know the people around Uttarakhand. Had lots of learning and good experience with the team. Since I was working in the field of village tourism I got an opportunity to explore the Village life local traditions and cuisines which was fabulous. Sewa has built a strong network between the people and NGO, it is just remarkable. You never feel an outsider when you are working with sewa over here. If got another chance i would definitely like to carry my work forward with sewa.
- Sourabh Veer
- Volunteer

Sewa International, First Floor, Plot 8,
Site 11, Near SD Public School,
West Patel Nagar,
New Delhi - 110008

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