The Unsung Uttarakhand

 Uttarakhand - the glory unexposed

Do you know for what Uttarakhand is famous for? For it's national parks, tourist places, Pilgrim places or it's specific culture? The state known for its rich biodiversity and specific landscape is in limelight due to production of aromatic organic coal.

The story behind

Whenever we think of coal, the picture which first clicks in our mind is of carbon emission, black soot, suspended polluting particles and emission of greenhouse gases. However contrary to this, the scientists of G B Pant Institute under Himalayan studies mission were able to produce pollution free, organic, aromatic coal successfully. The coal is being made from lantana grass which is termed as enemy of forest and leaves of pine tree also called pirul in local language. This coal not only relieves cold but will also produce fragrance in houses. Under the guidance of Dr Vinay Kumar Sharma, scientist IIT Roorkee, the project of making organic coal was undertaken. For this project Nainital and Almora were chosen. Specialists from Universal Petroleum and Energy Studies Dehradun also helped out in the project of making coal.

For preparing organic coal, pine leaves are collected from forest. Apart from Pine leaves, lemongrass and eucalyptus leaves are also collected. After mixing all of them, they are put together in a crusher which is operated through a 12 volt battery. If the battery discharges the crusher can be operated by a paddle also. A fine powder is obtained through pressure which is mixed with water and put in a mold at a specific pressure. Following this process, round and rectangular shaped coal is obtained. On burning it will spread specific Aroma also.

 The success story

So far fifteen units have been established and more than hundred villagers are trained in making coal. They have gained expertise in making organic coal. The forest department has also preserved about 1000 quintals of lantana and pine leaves stock for future use. Professor Kirit Kumar, the Nodal Officer of this project has told that the coal has antifungal and anti mosquito properties as well.

Haldwani pollinator park

This little state is again in the eye of everyone with the construction of newly inaugurated pollinator park in Haldwani, located in Nainital district. The park is one of its kind in the country which is spread in an area of 4 acres of land. The park aims to create awareness in general public about pollinators, their habitats and to move a step ahead for their conservation. The park contains about 40 pollinator species of various types of organisms like birds, insects, butterflies, beetles, honeybees, moths, small mammals and wasps.

Why pollinators are needed?

Large number of species of plants require pollinators to reproduce further. Without them, the population of these plant species would not survive. In this way, pollinators affect about 35% of agricultural land worldwide and support 87 of the top food crops in the world. The poor species are getting extinct due to loss of habitats, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, climatic changes and diseases.

 Construction of park

The park contains several mini habitats for these pollinators hence supporting them for breeding and reproducing. For birds butterflies and moths, plants like rose, jasmine and hibiscus are planted. Plants like curry leaf and many citrus fruit plants are planted to support shelter for eggs, larvae and pupa of the various pollinator species. Bird feeders and nests have also been placed at different positions to attract butterflies and various Birds. Artificial water sources have also been constructed for them to provide favorable conditions for their survival.

Hats off to the forest department of Haldwani and government of Uttarakhand who have gifted to the country the first pollinator Park !

 

Starts Up Of Chattisgarh

Unique Startup in Bastar - the unheard story

Ever heard of a startup investing in brooms ( jhadu) and which is generating a monthly income of 20 lakhs? The fact that these brooms are made in the most remote and geographically inaccessible area of Bastar district of Chattisgarh makes it even more interesting. Hardly a few of you may be knowing about Aboojhmaad area of Chattisgarh known for it's dense evergreen tropical forests. It is spread over 4000 square km in Chattisgarh covering Narayanpur, Bijapur and Dantewada district. It is the home to many indigenous tribes like Gond, Muria, Abujmaria and Halbaas. 

This region is rich in mineral deposits and a large amount of iron ore is being digged from Bailadila region of this area but the native people still remain isolated from the outside world. The Aboojhmaad is known for it's highly inaccessible nature with little or almost no presence of civil adminitration or government activities. 

Geographically also it is being separated by Indravati river from Bastar. In 2008, it was proposed to declare it as biosphere reserve by Government  of India: Because they these reasons, it is a major hub to naxalites  popularly known as Maoists.

 But the beauty lies somewhere else, hats off to the spirit of SDO Ashish Kotarwani who helped out the tribes in their startup by purchasing 900 quintals of jhadu from them. The story starts from Hitulwada village in the Orchha region near a river where the tribal women started their startup of making jhadu by a special kind of grass growing in this area called Tilgum in local language. Later on about hundred families this joined this small but unique venture.

 When the popularity of these jhadu increased, they were improvised even more by Mahila Swa Sahayata Samooh of Narayanpur district and the design was made even better. A MOU was signed by TRIFED to government and the product was sold countrywide especially in the capital city Delhi. A unique example of a beautiful startup from zero. Saluting the spirit and hard work of the tribals but more appreciable is the work done by government to generate employment for them and providing market to them for their welfare and living.

Another interesting Story

Yet another inspiring short story to be listen. This little state has some other significant startups also to be mentioned. Among top agricultural universities of country, stands the first agriculture university of Chattisgarh named Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya(IGKV).  The university has an incubation centre called "Raftaar Agribusiness Incubator" in which two startup programs namely Udbhav and Abhinav are run  in which selected startups are given chance to showcase there talent. The centre first provides training to the selected entrepreneurs for two months and then their plan is kept for proposal in front of central incubation committee. 

One can wonder how a fabric can be made through khas, a type of grass used in making cooling pads in room coolers  in summer. Ravikant Soni and Namrata Diwakar are two such people which are working on a project to make fabric from khas. 

As khas is popular for it's natural cooling property, the curtains made from it will be cooling the houses and lowering the room temperature during summer time. It will have its natural aroma and at the same time eco-friendly also. At present the thickness of the fabric is 3-5 mm which is to be furthur reduced. After preparing prototype, getting raw material for making fabric and making a machine for it was challenging as well. The plan also proposes making clothes from Khas. An awesome ecofriendly approach!