Voices and Choices – Our documentary
Voices and choices: A video showcasing our formative years of workSAHARA’s origin and work during formative years with GHNP is well represented in this video.
It includes history of Great Himalaya National Park, its biodiversity, conservation needs, sustainable livelihood work around the ecozone of GHNP
Conflict resolution, ecotourism and income generation via Women saving and credit groups is the main theme
Credits: volunteer work done by Sanjeeva Pandey (idea, script and director), Daniel and Emile (videography and scripting), Payson (voice-over and editing), Inder Pal (photograpy and videography)
History
Early Phase: origin to late 2000s
SAHARA was formed as a partner organisation by GHNP to generate sustainable livelihood in ecozone area. It include women saving and credit groups, vermicomposting, medicinal plants cultivation, handicraft, health and ecotourism. Special technical and organisational guidance was provided by Shri Vinay Tandon, Dr. Kamal Kishore, Shri Sanjeeva Pandey.
During 2002-2004 SAHARA actively paricipated and organised successful campaigns to save Tirthan river from hydro projects along with local community and Ex-MLA Shri Dilaram Shabab. SAHARA was co-petitoner in this case at Shimla High Court.
During 2005, SAHARA organised World Mountain People Association (WMPA) conference at Sai Ropa and also participated WMPA conference at Sikkim.
We worked with National Literacy Mission, Winrock International, WWF India and various other NGOs and government department.
Kala Jatha (cultural street theater) was also formed during this time and it performed around 600 acts/play/local songs for awareness around wildlife conservation, disaster, health and other social environments themes
Middle Phase: Post 2013
During 2013-14, SAHARA organised communities to safeguard rights and did advocacy with UNESCO, along with support of Himalayan Niti Abhiyan, for a fair and transparent mechanism around World Heritage Site (WHS) formation at GHNP area. Niharni Jan Sunwai (Niharni People Hearing) was the major outcome of our advocacy efforts.
Post 2014, major work included implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA, 2006) in Banjar block. Forest Right Committees were contituted at 2016 in about 30 villages at ward level. Awareness and advocacy were done with SDLC and DLC during the same in collaboration with Himalaya Niti Abhiyan and financial support from Foundation for Ecological Security (FES).
During 2015-17 Kala Jatha also performed various plays/songs for awareness around FRA, 2006. SAHARA also gave training to representatives and officials in around 70 Gram Panchayats in Kullu block.
Around 2017-18 plantation activities were conducted in Sainj valley with funding support from HPPCL around dam reservoirs
During COVID period, SAHARA volunteerly initiated mask stiching and distribution among administration and public at large, in collaboration with local administration. It also supported local administration in vehicle movement and essential good transport in the region. Kala Jatha also developed and promoted COVID awareness song, which was also adopted by Public Relation Dept, Kullu district.
Ongoing Phase: 2021 and beyond
During 2022-23 gram sabha recieved titles for 24 CFR claims. It was a big success in Himachal. A total of 211+27 FRCs were constituted by this time and CFR claim received from 144+4 FRCs. On request of DLC, SAHARA did google earth mapping of dev sthals as part of CFR claim.
Various training and workshops was conducted for sub-district level officials in collaboration SDLC Banjar
Along with local leaders and community and social workers, SAHARA collaborated in formation of Sustainable Tourism Vision Document for Tirthan valley and beyond. Currently, after various deputation and correspondence with district/state level administration, the panchayats have formed Model Plan to regulate construction under Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
SAHARA became active member of HimRRA, 2023 onwards, and begin to promote mille cultivation, natural farming and support/awareness/training for smallholder farmers.
Post 2024, we are actively collaboration with People Science Institute (PSI) Dehradun, with funding suuport form Sidhwa Trust and Tata Trust, around resources management and livelihood generation activities in Sharchi GP, that includes bee keeping, horticultural plantation, sewing, medicinal plants, natural farming inputs, and spring recharge. Temporary designed and fabricated shed was distributed to disaster affected families.
SAHARA is actively collaborating with GB Pant Institue, Mohal, Kullu around medicinal herb cultivation and beekeeping promotion and trainings.
Sewa volunteers
People who will be remembered…..
Late Shri Jay Prakash Negi, Retd Addl Chief Secretary, Himachal Government
Hailing from Kinnaur, Negi ji was President of SAHARA for about 2 years. He played immense and most important role for protection of Tirthan river. He channelised and organised various works at SAHARA with true volunteer spirit for social service. He will always be remembered as a gentle and kind hearted person.
Late Shri Daulat Bharti was a well-known regional guru in journalism to many. He was also a writer, poet and social worker. He was key role for organisational development during initial years of SAHARA. He was a board member of SAHARA.
Current and Past Volunteers
Smt Bhag Dasi Thakur
local volunteer from Sainj valley. Played critical role around community building and women empowerment in Sainj valley.
Nimu Dai
local volunteer from Banjar area. Played key role in training and organising women credit and saving groups in the region.
Khemi Ram
local volunteer. Senior most person with expertise and skills in ecotourism and local knowledge around forest
Devender Thakur
local voluneer from Bahu, has been most active and strong support for social issues, particularly work around forest rights act, in the begnning phase.
Rakesh Sharma
local volunteer from Palaich GP. He is an trained dentist, but true artist, lyricist, and music instrument player who is currently leading Kala Jatha.
Tek Singh
all-round vounteer from dhara shalinga village and was part of eco-tourism unit
Pavinder Singh
was second in charge of SAHARA in early years, and currently senior government teacher from majhan village
Board members
Sharda Katoch – President
Resident of Banjar from a defence family background and keen on women empowerment
Hari Singh Thakur
Ex-pradan and active social worker from Sachi GP
Vijay Thakur
Former Banjar Nagar Panchayat President and a farmer
Brikmu Negi
Member of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti and former Coordinator, National Literacy Mission Banjar block
Pooran Pujari
Pujari of Roopasna Mata and Social worker at Parvati valley
Hiteshwar Singh
Former Zila Parishad and DLC member Kullu
Leela Devi
Current BDC and SDLC member of Banjar block
Reeta Devi
Krishi and Pashu sakhi at BDO office Kullu, with active efforts around women empowerment
Rajender Chauhan – Secretary
Social worker with active work in issues concerning livelihood, environment and health
Nek Ram Sharma (Padam Shree awardee)
Coordinator Nirog Yatra Campaign with expertise and active effort around natural farming and millet cultivation in Himachal
Dr SC Sharma
Ex Director Punjab Agril University, Expert in intergrated watershed management, natural farming and related areas of NRM and collectivisation
Sachin Kumar
President of Indian Association of Career and Livelihood Planning. Assisting institutions sustain and scale up community driven green livelihood initiatives.
Manuj Sharma
Manager Operations, District Coordinator of Chamba Cricket Association. He has played an instrumental role in patenting the Chamba rumaal. A social activist in rural community development, HIV/Aids awareness, etc.