Knowledge Centre
July 2024
Preserving Verdant Velhe
Approximately 200 km from Mumbai and 60 km south of Pune, Velhe is nestled in the global biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. The landscapes in this verdant locale pulsate with exceptional flora and fauna, making it a region of captivating beauty and ecological importance.
The Western Ghats & Why We Must Conserve Them
The Western Ghats of India
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 1,40,000 sq. km
- 6% of India’s Landmass
A Treasure Trove of Biodiversity
- One of the world’s 8 hottest hotspots of biodiversity
- One of India’s 4 biodiversity hotspots
- 325 globally threatened Species
The Lifeline of India
- Home to over 30% of India’s flora & fauna.
- Provides vital resources for approximately 245 million people.
- 35% loss of forest cover in the last 90 years.
- Influences India’s weather patterns & monsoon
- Absorbs ~4 million tonnes of carbon
Protecting This Emerald
- Anthropogenic Pressures like encroachments, road development, mining, modern agriculture & human settlements
- Disrupted Weather Patterns
Source: UN World Heritage Convention
Trouble in This Pristine Paradise
- Seasonal water scarcity despite abundant rainfall
- Limited livelihood options (lowest Human Development Indicators in Pune District)
- Lack of active NGOs
- Political insignificance
- Lack of Industries
The Living Landscape Regeneration Plan for a Resilient Velhe
Established in 2018, the Raintree Foundation is building climate resilience in Velhe. Our holistic approach focuses on Climate, Community and Biodiversity. Our long-term sustainability efforts ensure lasting impact, balancing ecosystem health, economic development, and climate action. The collaborative Landscape Approach recognises the interconnections between people and planet, working towards a balance between social, economic and ecological objectives.
Raintree Foundation’s Transformative Impact:
- Working on 2,100 hectares of land
- Empowering 9 villages
- Impacting 4,131 lives
- Supporting 654 households
The 5 Thematics Our efforts Centre Around
Watershed Ecology
Despite high rainfall, Velhe’s hilly terrain and geology limit groundwater recharge, causing water scarcity and environmental degradation.
Raintree Foundation’s three-pronged initiative ensures:
- Water availability through rainwater harvesting
- Water accessibility via repair and maintenance of water sources and wells
- Groundwater recharge for the ecosystem via recharge measures
Sustainable Livelihoods
Developing climate-resilient livelihood solutions, going beyond traditional agriculture, promoting year-round income opportunities above $1.50 per day. Our solutions create economic stability, reduce migration, and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
We achieve this through:
- System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
- Backyard Kitchen Garden
- Farm Pond Fisheries
- BC Sakhi
- Backyard Poultry
Building Resilience
Empowering communities is at the heart of tackling climate change. By building resilience, we help communities not just survive but thrive.
This allows communities to:
- Adapt & recover from extreme weather events to rising temperatures
- Safeguard local ecosystems and biodiversity
- Building resilience is a multi-faceted approach, including:
- Self-help groups
- Women’s empowerment
- Gender and social inclusion
- Community mental health
The Manosaarthi Approach
Our Comprehensive Mental Health Program goes beyond clinical approach, integrating recreation, environmental awareness, and community care systems empowers self-reliant communities.
The Manosaarthi Counselling Centre, launched in November 2022, provides ongoing support with professional staff and trained community volunteers. Going beyond traditional medical approaches, it fosters a community mental health culture.
Biodiversity conservation
Raintree safeguards the biodiversity hotspot, ensuring its rich heritage thrives for generations. We work with communities to find a sustainable balance between human needs and environmental protection through:
- Forest-fire control
- Community stewardship
- Grassroots education
- Mindset transformation and encouraging waste management, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods
Clean Energy
Raintree Foundation harnesses sunlight, wind, and other renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change, reduce pollution, conserve resources, and foster a more sustainable future. Furthermore, biodigesters derive biogas from cow dung and kitchen waste, offering a clean energy alternative.
Wisdom from the Field: Strategies for Sustainability
The past five years in Velhe have been a transformative journey, rich in lessons that have laid the groundwork for lasting positive impact.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Long-term vision – Significant environmental change requires a sustained commitment, not short-term fixes.
- Collaboration & Learning: Success hinges on stakeholder collaboration and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Systematic Understanding: Complex issues demand a deep understanding of the interconnected systems at play.
- Building Resilience: Empowering communities to adapt and thrive in the face of change.
The Velhe program’s success lies in its scalability. The core principles-community engagement, long-term vision, and a holistic approach-can be adapted to diverse ecosystems. By sharing our learnings and partnering with local stakeholders, we can expand our impact, empower communities and achieve measurable environmental and social change on a larger scale.
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Contact Info
- 101, Notan Heights, Gurunanak Rd, Patkar Blocks, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
- contactus@theraintree.org
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