The Himalayas form the youngest, highest and most unstable mountain region in the world, making up a geological continuum that joins together a chain of diverse worlds and cultures. The region includes the Hindu-Kush, the Hengduan and the Karakoram ranges, and extends for around 2,500 kilometers across eight Asian countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. These are mountains which have many names in many tongues. From them emerge mighty rivers like the Yangtse, the Tsangpo, the Mekong, the Ganga, the Indus and the Yamuna; in them is brewed the weather of large parts of Asia. As such, this necklace of mountains draped over South Asia effectively defines the region.

Contradictory as it seems, the Himalayas, which link such a range of nations and ethnicities, are also beset by isolation. Like many mountain people the world over, Himalayan Communities live with the strange reality that the very thing which makes their lives complex, rich, and in harmony with nature –the remoteness and marginality of mountains –also leave them vulnerable to human and natural risk. Mountains make up a fifth of the world's landscape, and are home to a tenth of the world's people. An additional two billion people depend on a wealth of resources hidden in the mountains- food, hydro energy, minerals and timber. And yet, mountain people, guardians of the world's treasury, remain poor and unrepresented.

RACHNA: Addressing a Need

The need of RACHNA was articulated by a group of experts, social workers and community leaders associated with mountain development at local as well as international level in a meeting organized by Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA). SBMA is an independent organization that has worked at the grassroots level in the Himalayan region (now Uttarakhand state) since the 1970's. Years of experience in the villages of Uttarakhand convinced people in SBMA of the need for a focused organization that can effectively fill the gap of information, develop replicable models of sustainable development and represent the particular needs and interests of Himalayan people and the environment.

RACHNA (Research, Advocacy and Communication in Himalayan Areas) addresses exactly that need. RACHNA (meaning creativity in Sanskrit) is a platform for realizing the potential of traditions and local knowledge as well as innovative ideas, methodologies, and technologies for mountain development and conservation. It is a forum for articulating the concerns of the Himalayan people and building a resource of knowledge about best practices of sustainable mountain development, Himalayan communities and the ecosystem.

RACHNA started its work in 1998 as a network of institutions, community based organizations and individuals. RACHNA's intense work sponsored by its mother organization i.e. SBMA, and RACHNA's growing local, national and international network was institutionalized into an independent nonprofit organization in 2004.

RACHNA promotes comprehensive strategies for the socio-economic development of mountain people, strategies that are also fully sensitive to the fragile ecological balance of the region. It pursues this goal with the help of global intellectual collaborations and indigenous knowledge systems, through a network of organizations and individuals interested in making a difference in the lives of mountain communities. Some of RACHNA's main functions are as follows:

• To conceive, design, and implement innovative ideas of sustainable mountain development and create an enabling environment for their large scale replication.

•  To promote research, advocacy and communication that's relevant to policy and centered around people.

• To serve as an active meeting ground and platform of emerging ideas for all groups involved in mountain development.

• To meet the information-related, technical and academic (research) needs of various groups in the Himalayas, whether these are state sponsored, the private sector, the media, community groups, or scholars.

•  To build a resource of knowledge about the Himalayas and Himalayan people.

The vision that lies behind these functions is articulated through some important goals:

•  To establish cost effective, and replicable models of sustainable mountain development

•  To promote participation of local communities in local development

•  To advance collaboration and cooperation between different Himalayan nations, state and communities, so that a geographical communality can make itself known in social and cultural interchange

•  To enable this collaboration by bridging communication and technical gaps that otherwise hinder dialogue and exchange between different groups in the mountains

•  To bring a Himalayan perspective to bear on global or national policies and debates

•  To strengthen networking and shared participation between governments, the private sector, and the voluntary sector

Principles that guide RACHNA operations

In building RACHNA as a resource base, a network, a platform, a forum, it has been important to adhere to some operational principles which provide a framework for the flexibility of the concept. Some of these are:

•  RACHNA's activities are innovative, demand driven and shaped by the needs of the communities

•  Quality and cost effectiveness can not be sacrificed in achieving results. This is particularly important when establishing new models, advising social groups on building capacity, scaling-up operations and so on

•  The separate functions that RACHNA has adopted as its own are in fact integrated : for research, advocacy and communication to have a significant impact, it is important to explore them in tandem, as inter-related activities

•  In the same way, it is necessary to explore the over laps of natural resource management, social empowerment, and economic development as part of each other, all workshops, research and projects

•  RACHNA endeavors to build networks of institutions and individuals to whom mountain development is relevant, and who are relevant to mountain development

RACHNA is governed by a Board of Governors composed of eminent individuals. The forum operates on the twin principles of collaboration and partnerships in its many initiatives, which cover a range of subjects.

RACHNA promotes micro-enterprise and other emerging and innovative options for the economic transformation of the Himalayas. It explores the possibilities of incentive based conservation, people centered natural resource management, and examines the role of gender in these societies. RACHNA also holds regular workshops that explore important issues such as conflict resolution, economic development, and local self governance in the mountains. In all its activities, RACHNA's ultimate aim is to achieve lasting protection of Himalayan ecosystems.

Thematic Areas of RACHNA's Work

RACHNA focuses on the following thematic areas

•  Environmental Conservation : Education, Incentives and Action

•  Sustainable Economic Development: Planning, Training, and Networking

•  Good Governance- Decentralization, Transparency, Accountability, and Participation

•  Community Development –Health, Education, Culture

•  Gender and Development- Women Empowerment, and Girl Child Education

•  Science and Technology- Micro-Hydro-Power, Information Technology, Water Conservation and Organic Farming

How RACHNA works

Research Methodologies

•  Action Research through launching new initiatives for lasting social change based on innovative thinking, approaches and methodologies.

•  Research through using academic tools of social research such as review and documentation of available know-how and information, and questioner survey.

•  Participatory Research through using tools such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Self Evaluation and Effective Decision Making (SEED).

•  Study of proven models of sustainable mountain development from the Himalayas as well as from other parts of the world for replication and innovation.

Advocacy Processes

•  Advocacy through consulting all the stakeholders of a issue and engaging them in constructive dialogue for action such as conflict resolution, behavior change and enforcement of a particular law or policy.

•  Advocacy through highlighting the voice of people and lacunas in a particular policy or program through media, and educating the policy players.

•  Advocacy through information generation and education of the stakeholders

•  Advocacy through linking existing advocacy campaigns with networks, alliances and resources.

Communication Practices

•  Communication through popular media such as press, electronic media, and internet

•  Communication through workshops, meetings and structured dialogues

•  Communication though folk media such as instruments, songs, plays, and dances

•  Communication through action such as work culture, behavior in public and life style.

RACHNA's Current Activities:

The Central Project of RACHNA

Building Financial Incentives for and Management Capacity of Forest Councils for Lasting Conservation

RACHNA is engaged in building financial incentives for local community institutions to achieve lasting conservation of forests. Our methodology builds capacity of a unique system of enduring community-government partnership called Van Panchayats (Sanskrit for Forest Councils) established during British Rule in the Uttarakhand State of India. We will develop model sites in the headwaters of the Ganges River for replication in other Himalayan areas and rejuvenation of thousands of village forests created by the Joint Forest Management program of the government of India. We will support Forest Councils to prepare, implement and evaluate conservation work plans based on local data gathered through a partnership of villagers, officials and experts. An annual cycle of creating and implementing these work plans will help the Councils to solve several conflicts and mobilize resources from government; foundations, and individuals to execute them. It will create a competition among Forest Councils to develop effective and innovative plans to rejuvenate their traditional forest management practices, form new rules and make profits from increased ecosystem services and conservation sponsorship.

Other Activities

Current Research Activities

1. Study and Project Design for Solid Waste Management

RACHNA in association with Infrastructure Professional Enterprise(P) Limited is conducting a study on solid waste management in three cities of Uttarakhand state. This study will contribute in developing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Uttarakhand government under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) of the Government of India.

2. Study of the Market of Agro-businesses in Uttarakhand

RACHNA in association with International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) New Delhi Office is conducting a survey of Agro-businesses in Dehradun and Haldwani cities/ market to understand the agro-business market in Uttarakhand.

3. Piloting of an Innovative Approach of Community Based Watershed Management

RACHNA in association with the Himmothan Pariyojana/Sir Ratan Tata Trust is doing preparatory work to pilot an innovative model of incentive based conservation in the Himalayas.

4. Piloting of an Innovative Approach of Rural Development

RACHNA in association with Institute for Development Studies ( IDS ) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is piloting an innovative approach in District Pauri Garhwal for rural development in the Himalayas .

5. CSR and Hydropower Projects: A Case Study in Uttarakhand

ACHNA in association with Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA) has been working on a case study of Loharinag Pala Hydropower Project under construction on the Bhagirathi/Ganges river in Uttarakashi District of Uttarakhand. This case study will explore the status of implementation of the environment management plan and community development plan of the developer i.e. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This case study will contribute in the process of framing the Hydropower policy for Uttarakhand by the state government and building an effective monitoring and support system for implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility related initiatives of the hydropower project developers in the state.

6. Socio-Economic Survey of Urban Poor in three cities of Uttarakhand

RACHNA in association with Metro Infrastructure and Project Solutions India Private Limited is conducting a Socio-Economic Survey of urban poor in several slums of three major cities of Uttarakhand state. This survey will contribute in developing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Uttarakhand government under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) of the Government of India.

Current Advocacy Activities

1. Hydropower Policy for Uttarakhand

RACHNA in association with Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA) and its network of groups and individuals has been working on initiating stakeholder dialogue for evolving a comprehensive Hydro-power policy for Uttarakhand state.

Current Communication Activities

1. State Level Workshop for Initiating Dialogue Around Hydropower Development in Uttarakhand

RACHNA and SBMA would be organizing a state level workshop to provide a platform to all the stakeholders for sharing their informed perspectives for evolving a comprehensive hydropower policy for the State of Uttarakhand.

2. Role of Media in Developing Scientific Outlook

RACHNA supported a post graduate school in Uttarakhand in organizing a national seminar on ‘Role of Media in Developing Scientific Outlook' among people.

RACHNA's Past Activities

Research Completed

•  State of Innovation in Family Planning Services

•  Community Health Needs Assessment Survey

•  Public Transport System in Dehradun

•  The Role of Male in Family Planning Decisions

•  Micro-enterprises in Tehri district: Problems and Opportunities

•  Status of Girl Child in Himanchal Pradesh and Uttrakhand

•  A Survey of People's Perception on Management and Use of Forest in Garhwal

•  Case Studies on Community Forest Management

•  A Study on Profile of Panchayat Functionaries in Uttrakhand

•  Training and Support Need Assessment Study of Village Panchayats

•  Micro Planning Process and Techniques-a Primary Data and Field Based Study of a village Panchayat.

•  Stats of Birth Registration in Rural Uttaranchal

•  Microeconomics of a Mountain Village

•  Techniques of Water Conflict Resolution

•  Panchayat Raj Elections in Garhwal

•  Rural Development Priorities in Garhwal Himalayas

•  Study on Women Leadership and Panchayat Raj in Garhwal

•  Urban Development : Issues and Challenges in Uttarakhand

Advocacy Processes Implemented

•  Campaign for strengthening decentralized Governance in Uttarakhand

•  Advocacy for 100% Birth Registration in Uttarakhand

•  Campaign for Improvement of Girl Child Education

•  Advocacy for Building Enabling Environment through Policy Implementation, Integration and Reforms to Ensure Community Ownership and Participation for Sustainable Watershed Management

•  Advocacy for change in Education Policy of Uttarakhand to make it Relevant and Useable

•  Advocacy for Decentralized and Sustainable Tourism

•  Awareness Campaign through Youth for Solid Waste Management

Communication Activities Performed

•  Workshop on Reproductive Health and Family Planning

•  Workshops on Role of Priests in Building Awareness about Immunization and Nutrition

•  Workshop on Micro Enterprise in Tehri Garhwal

•  Training of NGOs in Techniques for Conflict Resolutions

•  Training of NGOs on Mountain Ecosystem and Sustainable Population

•  Training of Panchayat Functionaries on Role of Panchayats in Primary Health and Education

•  Training and Awareness on Consumer Rights

•  Workshop on Good Governance in Uttarakhand

•  Workshop on Identification of Training Requirements of Panchayat Functionaries

•  State and National Level Workshops on Policy Recommendations for Panchayat Raj

•  Training of Mass Communication Groups for Organizing Awareness Campaigns

•  Series of Workshops of Stakeholders for Evolving a Draft of Panchayat Raj Policy for Uttarakhand.

•  Training of Youth on Techniques of Social Research

•  Workshop on Partnership for Urban Development

•  Organization of Exposure Visits of Community Leaders, NGO Leaders, Women Panchayat Functionaries, Youth and Children to Learn from Successful Examples from different parts of the country and South Asian Countries

•  Organization of Field Based Training of NGO Leaders, Community Leaders/Members from other States of India , International Groups and Volunteers in Innovative Approaches and Methodologies of Sustainable Community Development and Natural Resource Management

Publications of RACHNA

•  Micro-Planning for Rural Development (1997)

•  New Panchayat Raj System- Structure, Possibilities, and Needs (1997)

•  Village Panchayats – Powers, Functions and Role (1997)

•  Mountains: a Global Priority in 21 st Century (1998)

•  Earth Summit : Agenda 21, Chapter 13

•  Mountain Children: Challenges for the 21 st Century (1998)

•  Micro-Planning: Process and Techniques (1999)

•  Gram Sabha of Unnatipur (1999)

•  Drummers of Garhwal (2001)

•  Profile of Panchayat functionaries in Uttarakhand-1999

•  Quarterly newsletter of Panchayat Raj Quality Augmentation Program (1999-2001)

•  Panchayat Raj Draft Bill-Uttaranchal (2001)

•  Status of Birth and Death Registration in Uttarakhand (2002)

•  News Letter of the Urban Governance Program (2003)

•  Introduction of the First Legislative Council of Uttaranchal State (2002)

•  Profile of Village Panchayat Functionaries of Uttaranchal (2003)

For More Information Please Contact:

Contact Address:

RACHNA, 228/1 Vasant Vihar,
Dehradun, Uttarakhand -248001, India
Tel: +91 9997404812, Fax: +91 135 2763216
Email: rachnaindiaonline@gmail.com

Contact Person:

Manoj Bhatt
President and Executive Director
Email: manojbtt@gmail.com