Sanchi Integration Association (SIA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to uplifting the most disadvantaged communities and conserving the environment through innovative action research projects. Registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act in November 2020, SIA has been at the forefront of social and environmental initiatives across Maharashtra. Our mission focuses on community education and the conservation of endangered plant species, emphasising sustainable development, gender equality, and environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with local communities, government bodies, and other NGOs, SIA strives to build a better future for marginalised families, especially women and children, while contributing to the protection of India's rich biodiversity. Guided by a commitment to social justice and ecological responsibility, SIA’s activities encompass education for street children, relief efforts during natural disasters, and an ambitious action research project aimed at conserving rare indigenous plant species. Our founder, Mr. D. R. Parihar, brings over three decades of experience in government service and environmental conservation, ensuring that SIA's work is both impactful and sustainable. To achieve the objective of environment amelioration and biodiversity conservation, SIA is doing a unique, difficult, time consuming and costly work of raising and planting the precious tall seedlings of indigenous rare plant species; that are very important from an ecological and medicinal point of view. Such species of immense environmental and human well-being value cannot be conserved without participation of the youngsters and all the stakeholders. Hence, SIA is maintaining the existing nurseries and keen to establish more nurseries of such species and Eco-clubs in various institutions/schools/colleges (to motivate the young students for the cause of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation). Community participation, mass awareness and education and programs on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation are also a part of these initiatives.
Our NGO named “SANCHI INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION” is committed to the cause of ‘Harmonious Co-existence’ that claims not only genuine inter-personal relationships but also an honest interaction between humans and nature i. e. harmonious co-existence with nature and other fellow beings. It emphasises that Human beings have the responsibility for establishing and maintaining this.
Keeping this as the core mission, SANCHI INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION, through its genuine works on the ground, targets for the long-term sustainable benefits of many over the short term.
Sanchi Integration Association reflects Harmonious Coexistence.
SANCHI
1. Sanchi symbolizes peace, harmony, and integration. It reflects the principles of non-violence and compassion.
2. Sanchi represents India's rich cultural heritage, promoting diversity and inclusivity. This significance resonates with our mission of promoting Harmonious Coexistence.
INTEGRATION
1. Integration clearly refers to the integration of humans with humans and humans with nature, i.e. Harmonious Co-existence. The word Integration is a deep concept to explain our genuine mission and intentions in several ways. Integration is our core mission, emphasizing the importance of bringing together individuals, communities, and nature in harmony.
2. Integration promotes cooperation and collaboration between humans and between humans and nature.
3. Integration implies a holistic approach, and interconnectedness of human and natural systems. This comprehensive perspective aligns with our focus on Harmonious Coexistence.
4. Integration promotes inclusivity, diversity, collective action, and national integration. This approach is essential for achieving Harmonious Coexistence.
5. The word "Integration" has significant importance in various Scientific, Social, Cultural, Personal and Psychological, Transparency and Accountability, Empowerment and Capacity Building, Educational, Mathematical and Technological contexts. In the context of social and cultural significance, “integration” refers to the process of bringing people from different backgrounds, cultures, and identities together, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Integration helps build social cohesion and national integration by fostering a sense of community, shared values, and mutual understanding among individuals and groups. Integration helps foster a holistic approach to education, where students develop a comprehensive understanding of the world, its complexities, and its interconnectedness. Integration is essential in national development.
6. Integration improves the well-being of humans and the natural environment.
7. Integration ensures community participation and promotes self-reliance for achieving long-term sustainability. An integrated approach enables us to create lasting impact, build trust with its stakeholders, and ultimately achieve its mission. Our distinguished programs and services are designed for this. It reflects resolving complex social, religious, and cultural issues through a holistic approach.
8. Integration enhances the resilience of human and natural systems to climate change, economic shocks, and other challenges.
9. Integration reduces conflict and promotes peace between humans and between humans and nature.
10. Integration promotes sustainable practices and policies that ensure the long-term health and resilience of human and natural systems
11. By embracing integration, we demonstrate our genuine intentions and mission, because the word "Integration" is highly relevant to the concept of Harmonious Coexistence, as it implies the bringing together of different entities, systems, or perspectives to create a unified and harmonious whole.
Integration and Harmonious Coexistence
Integration reflects Harmonious Coexistence between Human Being with another Human Being and Human Being with Nature. By embracing the principles of integration, we foster a deeper sense of Harmonious Co-existence between humans and nature. It promotes a more balanced, equitable, and sustainable world for all.
Integration means Harmonious Coexistence between one Human Being with another Human Being
1. Integration promotes social cohesion by bridging gaps between individuals, communities, and cultures, fostering a sense of belonging and shared humanity. It refers to Integration of different cultures, traditions, and values and promotes cross-cultural understanding, respect, and harmony. It refers to Integration of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds fosters social cohesion, reduces inequality, and promotes collective well-being.
2. Integration encourages mutual understanding, respect, and empathy, helping to break down barriers and build harmonious relationships.
3. Integration enables individuals and groups to work together towards common goals, promoting a sense of shared responsibility and collective well-being.
4. Integration of economic systems and policies promotes global cooperation, reduces poverty, and increases economic opportunities.
Integration means Harmonious Coexistence of Human Beings with Nature
1. Integration of human beings and human-created systems with natural ecosystems promotes ecological balance, conservation, and sustainability.
2. Integration of environmental considerations into human activities reduces pollution, climate change, and environmental degradation.
3. Integration of human spirituality with nature promotes a sense of interconnectedness, respect, and reverence for the natural world.
4. Integration considers the well-being of both humans and the natural environment, recognizing that the health of one is inextricably linked to the health of the other.
5. Integration recognizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and systems.
6. Integration promotes embracing diversity inclusivity in all aspects of life.
7. Integration promotes fostering reciprocal relationships between humans and nature, acknowledging the importance of give-and-take.
8. Integration promotes the well-being of the entire system, rather than just individual parts.
9. Integration cultivates respect and empathy for all living beings and the natural environment.
ASSOCIATION
1. Conveys collaborative spirit, partnership, and collective action,
2. Implies inclusive membership, welcoming individuals and organizations,
3. Suggests flexibility and adaptability, essential for addressing complex social and environmental issues.
The name SANCHI INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION embodies our clear intentions and the core of our mission: fostering Harmonious Co-existence. The combination of SANCHI, INTEGRATION, and ASSOCIATION conveys a clear and deep message of harmony, inclusivity, and collective action, making it an ideal name for our NGO focused on Harmonious Coexistence.
Importance of ‘Harmonious Co-existence’
1. Humans must develop a constant awareness of caring for natural objects, at least for our own existence. By nature, animals are intellectually inferior to human beings, but this distinction holds true only as long as humans use their wisdom and uphold moral standards for their survival—let alone for happiness and good health. However, driven by a misconception of their superiority, humans often attempt to overpower other organisms. This misconception has been placing a big question mark on maintaining our health, happiness, and ultimately, our existence.
2. To establish a sustainable co-existence and harmonious co-existence, in biodiversity, morality matters a lot. If someone harms or cuts a tree, even for genuine reasons or necessities, they must acknowledge that this act has led to the loss of a vital source that absorbs a significant part of carbon emissions from factories, industries and other sources. Such acts must be accompanied by replanting and nurturing new trees. Therefore, harmonious co-existence demands not only genuine interpersonal relationships but also honest interactions between humans and nature.
3. When human beings—superior to other organisms—adopt the wrong approach, it becomes impossible to maintain harmony, happiness, and peace in the system due to their dominating tendencies. Obviously, good physical and mental health, peace and happiness, and prosperity cannot be expected in such societies. Therefore, human beings have the responsibility to establish peaceful co-existence with nature and their fellow beings.
4. It is very important and urgent that we must use our intelligence to foster ‘living together’, which also implies co-residence and a harmonious life. Living together means the network of relationships in which we live. A system in which we are supposed to generally interact with other living beings, requires some basic principles and disciplines to institute a harmonious existence. It is possible only if there is cooperation. It is impossible to sustain in a society without cooperation. For our own harmonious sustenance, we must set aside and sacrifice much of our egocentric ideals. Unfortunately, because of ignorance and the unrestrained desire for ‘ease, comfort, selfishness, profit-making’; we are continuously harming natural life-supporting systems and interpersonal trust.
5. SIA's logo is based on the above fundamental principles of the Law of Nature, the supreme law on our planet. SIA, short for Sanchi Integration Association, features a highly endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), at its centre and the most important phrase “Coexist Harmoniously” at the bottom. The GIB is at the apex of the grassland ecology. The GIB is at the apex of the grassland ecosystem, on which many species, including humans, depend directly or indirectly for survival. The existence of the GIB is a reflection of the harmony between humans and nature. Peace, happiness, and prosperity are natural by-products of our harmonious co-existence with nature and fellow beings. This theme is central to our mission, and our logo embodies this vision with the GIB and the phrase “Coexist Harmoniously.”
6. Nature, defined as the original form of anything and everything without human intervention, is equivalent to the Sanskrit word Prakriti and the Pali word Pakati. Pakati also refers to habit, as in the expression “human-nature”. These terms convey two interconnected ideas: material nature and natural law. For our survival and existence, it is imperative that we use our wisdom to understand and respect the basic principles and rule of law of nature. Humans have severely damaged their own life-support systems and have polluted the air, soil, water, and peace. This damage has reached an almost irreversible stage, endangering our very existence. Therefore, it is urgent and essential to take every possible action to improve the environment, conserve biodiversity, and promote peace by embracing the principle of harmonious co-existence.
Since inception, SIA has carried out comprehensive impactful activities, some of which are listed below.
December 2020 to March 2021
Relief and Aid
1. Collected food grains, ration kits, etc. and distributed among the most suffering, marginalized and deprived families staying in open in and around Pune city.
2. Provided relief to the most deprived families during Covid 2nd wave and distributed ration kits, clothes, etc. among nomads, tribes and other most marginalized and deprived families, during winter and at the beginning of 2nd wave of Covid.
3. Collaborated and joined hands with other NGOs, particularly Dignity Home Foundation and distributed ration kits, clothes, etc. among those staying in the open, nomads in and around Pune city and the poor tribes in surrounding areas.
4. Education of the most deprived and innocent children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road in Pune city -Conducted education and awareness campaigns on the importance of education (especially the girls), staying under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. Also, blankets and mattresses were distributed among such families. This was an entry point activity with an aim to address the complex issue of education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and staying with their parents under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside.
5. Conducted education and awareness campaigns on the importance of family planning, health and hygiene amongst poor families staying under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside.
April 2021 to March 2022
Relief and Aid
6. Relief during the 2nd wave of Covid - 1,930 ration kits (containing food grains, pulses, edible oil, masala, sugar tea, nutrition items, etc.) and clothes distributed among nomads, tribes and other most marginalized and deprived families during the 2nd wave of Covid pandemic. Period - April to June 2021.
7. Provided relief and distributed ration kits to the most deprived families of the Transgender community at Shrirampur (District- Ahmednagar) during the 2nd wave of Covid.
8. Provided relief and distributed ration kits, etc. to the most deprived families, particularly the Pardhi community in certain villages in Shirur taluka, during 2nd wave of the Covid pandemic.
9. Provided relief and distributed ration kits, etc. to the most cyclone-affected tribal families at Bhorgiri village in Ambegaon Taluka.
10. Collaborated and joined hands with other NGOs, particularly the Vaswani Mission and distributed large no. of ration kits ration kits among those staying in the open, nomads in and around Pune city and the poor tribes in Ambegaon, Junnar and Khed talukas.
11. Relief to the extremely heavy rain and severely flood-affected area - Took immediate cognizance of such natural calamity, arranged and distributed 500 blankets and mattresses to flood-affected area in Chiplun (Konkan, Maharashtra). It was done by handing over the material to the concerned Govt. authority. Period-July 2021.
Education
12. Action Research project on “Education of the most deprived and innocent children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road in Pune city and adjoining areas. Major period - August 2021 to March 2022.
12(a). We witnessed many children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road in Pune and Mumbai city. During the year 2020-21, we had taken an entry point activity with an aim to address the complex issue of education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and staying with their parents under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. We extended it further and this year also, and continuously interacted with one-to-one parents of the children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and continued our best possible counselling and convincing them to send their kids. To address the complex issue of education of such innocent and most deprived children, in a holistic manner, and to do policy advocacy to the government, we undertook an action research pilot project of education of the children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and staying with their parents under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. Most of such families change their place and despite best efforts and counselling, they avoid sending their children to school. Such families belong to either tribe (nomadic or scheduled), de-notified, scheduled and other backward castes. Founder member of our NGO served in various government departments in various capacities in a career spanning more than 3 decades and has diverse, rich experience ranging from Education, Research, Tribal and Social Justice, Poverty alleviation, Rural Development, Training, Forestry, Social Forestry, Co-operation, Administration, Banking, Management. We understand that such a complex issue cannot be resolved without responsible and active participation of government machinery. There are many residential schools run by the government and government-aided institutes. Therefore, education of these innocent kids through their admissions to such residential government schools is a viable solution to protect them from begging and working. Hence, we started working persistently and patiently and endeavoured to keep convincing such parents to send their children, particularly girl children, to such residential government schools instead of engaging them in selling, begging, etc. Though it was extremely difficult, we continuously interacted with one-to-one parents of such children, did our best possible counselling and tried our best to convince them to send their children to the residential government schools during next academic session. We motivated such children by giving them uniforms, nutrition kits and education-related materials and the parents by felicitating them and giving them dresses, ration kits, etc.
12(b). Conducted awareness and education campaigns on the importance of education (especially girls), family planning, health and hygiene amongst poor families staying under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside.
12(c). Collected old clothes, educational material, etc. and distributed among such families during Diwali and Post Diwali.
12(d). 656 ration kits and 475 sweet boxes were distributed during Diwali (November 2021) amongst the poorest target group families of begging children staying under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. This was with the aim of motivating these families to send their children to schools during the next academic session.
12(e). 320 ration kits and 680 nutrition kits distributed among target group families and children engaged in begging and selling articles on road during the post (2021) Diwali period. This was with the aim of motivating these families to send their children to schools during the next academic session.
12(f). Conducted Awareness campaigns on eco-friendly Diwali (2021).
Environment
13. Conservation of rare genetic resources and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species. Major period - July 2021 to March 2022.
13(a). One of the focus areas of SIA is environment protection and conservation of biodiversity, soil & water. Hence, we undertook a project of raising seedlings of indigenous plant species which, though very important from an ecological and medicinal point of view, have either become rare or are becoming rare. Such species of immense environmental and human well-being value cannot be conserved without the participation of youngsters and farmers. Hence, to begin with, we raised/procured and distributed 8,109 tall plants of such rare species during the 2021 monsoon to farmers, individuals, nature lovers and other citizens.
13(b). Conducted awareness and education campaigns on importance of environment protection, conservation of biodiversity, soil & water and specially, conservation of rare genetic resources and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species.
April 2022 to March 2023
Education
14. Action Research - Pilot project on education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road.
14(a). During the year 2020-21, we had taken entry point activity with an aim to address the complex issue of education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and staying with their parents under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. We extended it and continued working on this project during 2021-22. We extended it further and this year also, continuously interacted with one-to-one parents of the children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and continued our best possible counselling and convincing them to send their kids of more than 5 years age, to the residential govt. schools during the 2022 academic session. We motivated such children by giving them uniforms, nutrition kits and education-related materials and felicitating the parents by giving them dresses, ration kits, etc.
14(b). We continued Awareness campaigns on the importance of education (especially girls) of the most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road.
14(c). We collected the old clothes, education materials, etc. and distributed them among such families during 2022 Diwali festival and 26th January 2023.
14(d). Most of the parents of such begging children don't have basic documents, particularly the birth certificates and AADHAR of their children otherwise eligible to join schools. In the absence of such basic documents, it was impossible to get admission of such kids in the schools. Hence, we did a series of counselling and convinced the parents of such children to join us in government hospitals and get their kids medically examined and obtain the age certificates. With a lot of effort, we got the age certificates of such kids. With a lot of efforts, we got registration for AADHAR of such children and Affidavits of their parents, etc. Then, we organised the many visits of such parents and the kids to the government residential schools and motivated them to get their willing support. With a lot of efforts, we convinced such parents and arranged for the admission of such children into the residential government schools. It was a herculean, time-consuming, costly and tough task. We faced many difficulties, and it took a lot of our energy and time. However, we kept working tirelessly, persistently and patiently and succeeded to some extent.
14(e). After having done a lot of field and document procurement work, we got 89 such children admitted in government and non-government residential schools.
14(f). We continued our awareness campaigns on family planning, health & hygiene among families staying on roads and those living under plastic shelters on open grounds.
Environment
15. Action Research project on conservation of genetic resource and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species.
15(a). One of the focus areas of SIA is environment protection and conservation of biodiversity, soil & water. Hence, we continued (which was undertaken during the last financial year) the project of raising seedlings of indigenous plant species which, though very important from an ecological and medicinal point of view, have either become rare or are becoming rare. Such species of immense environmental and human well-being value cannot be conserved without the participation of youngsters and farmers. Hence, to begin with, we raised/procured and distributed 10,100 tall plants of such rare species during the 2022 monsoon to farmers, nature lovers and citizens.
15(b). Persuaded to procure seeds of certain indigenous rare species and trees from Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZARI) and Arid Forestry Research Institute (AFRI) and from other sources.
15(c). Conducted many field surveys and works and made preparations for raising nurseries of such rare indigenous tree species of immense ecological and medicinal value. Tall seedlings of such rare plant species are intended to be distributed to farmers, free of cost, for conservation of rare genetic resource.
15(d). Contacted many educational institutes to convince their managements to raise nurseries of such rare indigenous tree species of immense ecological and medicinal value and to establish Eco-clubs of the students for awareness and education on environment protection, soil, water and biodiversity conservation, and rare genetic resource conservation.
15(e). Conducted various awareness campaigns and convinced the people to celebrate eco-friendly festivals and avoid pollution.
15(f). Motivated and convinced certain farmers’ families to distribute the seedlings of such rare indigenous tree species of immense ecological and medicinal value on auspicious family occasions like birthdays, marriage anniversaries, etc. Encouraged and supported some families by supplying them with such seedlings, free of cost, on such occasions and assisting them to donate such seedlings. Leveraged such occasions to create awareness among the guests, thereby achieving mass awareness on the conservation of such genetic resources, soil, water and biodiversity conservation.
April 2023 to March 2024
Education
16. Action Research Pilot project on education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road.
16(a). During the year 2020-21, we had taken entry point activity with an aim to address the complex issue of education of most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and staying with their parents under plastic shelter in the open or on the roadside. We extended it and continued working on this project during the years 2021-22 and 2022-23. We extended it further, and this year also, we continuously interacted one-to-one with the parents of the children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and continued our best possible counselling and convincing them to send their kids of more than 5 years of age to the residential government schools during the 2023 academic session. We motivated such children by giving them uniforms, nutrition kits and education-related materials and felicitating the parents by giving them dresses, ration kits, etc.
16(b). Like earlier, we did a series of counselling, motivated the children, convinced their parents, got age certificates and registration for AADHAR of 13 such children and arranged for admissions of such kids into the residential government schools. This year also, we faced many difficulties, and it took a lot of our energy and time. However, we kept working tirelessly, persistently and patiently and succeeded to some extent. We convinced the parents of such children, and after having done a lot of field and document procurement work, we got 11 of such targeted eligible children into the residential government schools during the 2023 academic session.
16(c). We noticed that in spite of such dedicated efforts of getting 89 such children (engaged in begging or selling articles on the road) admitted to government and non-government residential schools, many dropped out. We observed such children again begging or selling articles on the road. Hence, we continued interacting with each and every parent of such children and continued our best possible counselling and convincing them to resend their kids, to the residential government schools during the 2023 academic session. We continued motivating such children by giving them uniforms, nutrition kits and education-related materials and felicitating the parents by giving them dresses, ration kits, etc.
16(d). Most of the parents of such begging children (supra) have younger kids below 5 years of age. Hence, we continued counselling and convinced the parents of such children to join us in government hospitals and get their kids medically examined and obtain their Age certificates. With a lot of effort, we got age certificates of 27 such kids. We organised visits of new parents (which were not covered in the past) to the government residential schools and motivated them to get mentally prepared for admitting their children into the residential schools.
16(e). We collected old clothes, education-related materials, etc. and distributed them among such families during the Diwali-2023 festival and the winter of 2023.
16(f). We continued our Awareness campaigns on family planning, health & hygiene among families staying on the roads and those living under plastic shelters on open grounds.
16(g). We continued Awareness campaigns on importance of education (especially girls) of the most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road. We are working persistently and patiently and we are hopeful of getting many eligible kids from such families during the 2024 academic session.
17. Though it is a herculean, time taking, costly and tough task, we will keep working tirelessly, persistently and patiently and keep convincing parents of such most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road and will arrange for admissions of such kids into the residential government schools. This is our Action Research project aimed to address the complex issue of education of such innocent and most deprived children engaged in begging or selling articles on the road. Our further aim is to do policy advocacy to the government to address this complex issue of education of such children in a holistic manner.
Environment
18. Conservation of rare genetic resources and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species. Raising nurseries of seedlings of rare indigenous plants distribution/planting of tall seedlings of rare indigenous seedlings. One of SIA's focus areas is environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, soil & water. Hence, during 2021-2022 financial year, we had initiated an Action Research project of raising indigenous plants, which have become rare, even though they are very important from an ecological and medicinal point of view. It is an ambitious and long-time project; hence, we continued this project during the 2022-2023 financial year and subsequently during 2023-2024. We achieved as under during the current year:
18(a). Collected information and procured genetically superior and quality seeds of certain indigenous rare species from various sources and did germination trials.
18(b). Procured small seedlings, mainly of such rare, endangered plant species from different sources to nourish them to further achieve better growth and health.
18(c). Established nurseries at Waki Budruk (Taluka - Khed, Pune district), Baramati (Pune district), Jawali (Satara district), Phulambri (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district) and we are raising about 3,00,000 seedlings of such rare, endangered plant species which are of immense ecological and medicinal value. Seedlings of such species will be planted for the conservation of rare genetic resource.
18(d). Contacted certain agencies and many farmers and communities to convince them to plant such rare, endangered plant species and ensure safety and further growth.
18(e). We continued our awareness and education campaigns on conservation of rare genetic resources and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species which are very important from ecological and medicinal point of view. We did our best to get willing support of farmers and those engaged in goat and cattle rearing to ensure protection of such rare genetic resources.
18(f). We approached many educational institutes to establish student eco-clubs in schools/colleges and to raise nurseries in order to motivate young students for the cause of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
18(g). Contacted certain schools, particularly the residential Ashram schools, colleges, educational institutes to establish student eco-clubs in schools/colleges and to raise nurseries in order to motivate young students for the cause of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. We have already established one such nursery at Kohinde government residential school (Khed Taluka) of Tribal Development Department. The students are actively participating and nourishing the seedlings.
18(h). Conducted various eco-awareness programmes in schools to motivate the students for the cause of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation and to ensure that the interested students actively participate in the nursery and eco-club works.
18(i). We have been regularly convincing communities to celebrate eco-friendly festivals and avoid pollution.
18(j). Organised visits to the surrounding villages and conducted awareness programmes to get the willing support of the villagers, farmers and those engaged in goat and cattle rearing to plant such seedlings and ensure protection of such rare genetic resources.
18(k). Raising tall seedlings of such rare plant species (supra) of immense environmental, medicinal and human well-being value is in itself a difficult, costly and time-consuming process, but the most challenging is to get proper places for not merely planting but also protecting and achieving proper growth of such seedlings. Failure of plantations is a common feature, and we cannot afford any damage to such precious and important plants. Conservation of such rare genetic resources by protecting such plants cannot be achieved without the participation of the landholders, youngsters, and other stakeholders. Hence, to create goodwill and achieve the objective, we raised/procured and distributed 13,600 tall plants of such species during the 2023 monsoon to farmers, institutions, nature lovers, and other citizens. We are getting demands from many others.
18(l). Motivated and convinced certain farmers’ families to distribute seedlings of such rare indigenous tree species of immense ecological and medicinal value on auspicious family occasions like birthdays, marriage anniversaries, etc. Encouraged and supported some families by supplying them such seedlings free of cost on such occasions and assisting them to donate such seedlings. Leveraged such occasions and created awareness among the guests, thereby achieving mass awareness on conservation of such genetic resources, soil, water and biodiversity conservation.
19. This is an ambitious and long-time Action Research project aimed at not only addressing the issue of conservation of rare genetic resources and biodiversity of indigenous rare plant species but also to do policy advocacy to the government on this aspect. Though it is a hugely arduous, time-consuming, costly, delicate and tough task, we will keep working tirelessly, persistently and patiently. Such species of immense environmental and human well-being value cannot be conserved without the participation of the local farmer community, youngsters and the farmers in particular.
20. Hence, we have raised nurseries at different places to ensure the planting of tall seedlings of these indigenous species in the surrounding catchment villages and areas and to educate and appeal to the farmers for planting in their farmlands. We strive hard, do our best and get the willing support of farmers, young generations, students and those engaged in goat and cattle rearing to ensure the conservation of such rare genetic resources. We will convince various institutions also to plant such species on their land. We intend to do geo-tagging of such precious and important tall seedlings planted in the field, and we will do our best for their protection and further growth till such seedlings attain a height beyond damage by the cattle, goats, etc. and illicit cutting.
21. While doing so, we will endeavour to take up soil and water conservation activities in the surrounding villages.
22. We have set a mission of taking various activities of reduction or elimination of chemical pesticides also in the targeted villages and to create awareness, particularly among the population of the targeted villages, on the harmful effects of single-use plastic and unscientific use of pesticides.
Mr. D. R. Parihar
Founder member and full-time director of SIA, Mr. D. R. Parihar is an Ex-IFS (Indian Forests Service) and dedicated to the cause. He has been working persistently and patiently and committed to work full-time in SIA. He has served in various government departments in various capacities in a career spanning more than three decades and has diverse, rich experience.
He has served in Government of Maharashtra in
- Social Forestry
- Forests Dept
- School Education Dept
- Rural Development Dept
- Water Conservation Dept
- Tribal Research and Training Institute.
He has served in Government of Maharashtra as
- Joint Director in Tribal Research and Training Institute, Dy Secretary School Education Dept.,
- Professor in YASHADA (an apex and nodal Administrative Training Institute of the Govt. of Maharashtra in General Administration Dept.) known for providing quality trainings and collection and dissemination of information in development,
- Director General of BARTI (an Autonomous Institute of Govt. of Maharashtra in Social Justice Dept.),
- first Managing Director (post superannuation) of SARTHI (an Autonomous Institute of Govt. of Maharashtra in Planning Dept.).
Dr. Jyoti Shetty
Dr. Jyoti Shetty is a renowned and experienced anthropologist and highly committed Director. She has also served in various government departments in various capacities and has diverse, rich experience in research, training, women and child welfare, education for the most deprived girls, nature conservation, etc. She is also working full-time for SIA and dedicated to the cause. She has focused on our very ambitious long term Action Research project on “Education for the most Deprived Children engaged in selling articles/begging/roaming on the Road”. She has been working persistently and patiently for this, a very tough project.
Ms. Pooja Shetty
Ms. Pooja Shetty is working on saving energy and conservation of soil and water. She is dealing with certain ambitious projects which are multidimensional and entail a long-term commitment. We are committed to save our natural resources and for that, promotion of non-conventional energy resources is very important. She is fully committed on long term basis.
Mr. Rohit Parihar
Mr. Rohit Parihar advises on SIA projects through his wide-ranging experience. He architects and oversees the systems at SIA. He brings 8 years of corporate experience spread across Human Resources and People Technology domains.