What We Do
We undertake a wide range of projects and activities that aim to address the needs and
aspirations of the tribal communities in Central India. Some of our key projects are:
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Conservation of Traditional Knowledge Systems: We document and preserve the traditional
knowledge systems of the tribal communities, especially related to their medicinal plants, agricultural
practices, and cultural expressions. We also promote the use and dissemination of their traditional
knowledge systems, and protect them from biopiracy and misappropriation.
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Access and Benefit Sharing Partnerships Implementation: We facilitate the implementation of the
access and benefit sharing (ABS) partnerships between the tribal communities and the users of their
biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, as per the provisions of the Biological
Diversity Act, 2002. We ensure that the tribal communities get a fair and equitable share of the
benefits arising from the utilization of their resources and knowledge, and that their prior informed
consent and approval are obtained.
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Mushroom Cultivation: We promote mushroom cultivation as a source of income and nutrition for the
tribal households. We provide training, inputs, and market linkages to the mushroom growers, and
also facilitate the formation of self-help groups and cooperatives for collective bargaining and value
addition.
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NTFP Value Addition: We support the tribal communities in enhancing the value of the non-timber
forest products (NTFPs) that they collect and use, such as honey, amla, mahua, sal, etc. We provide
technical assistance, quality control, branding, and packaging services, and also connect them with
the buyers and consumers, both locally and globally.
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Carbon Credits: We help the tribal communities in earning carbon credits by conserving and restoring
their forest lands, and by adopting low-carbon practices, such as renewable energy, organic farming,
and waste management. We also assist them in registering and verifying their carbon projects, and in
selling their carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market.
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Human Wildlife Conflict Management: We address the issue of human wildlife conflict in the tribal
areas, which poses a threat to the lives and livelihoods of the people and the wildlife. We implement
various measures, such as fencing, deterrents, compensation, insurance, awareness, and education,
to reduce the incidence and severity of the conflict, and to promote coexistence and harmony
between the people and the wildlife.
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Climate Change Advocacy: We advocate for the inclusion and recognition of the tribal communities in
the national and international climate change policies and actions. We highlight their contributions
and challenges in mitigating and adapting to the climate change, and demand their rights and
entitlements in the climate finance and technology transfer mechanisms.
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Livelihood Improvement and Rural Empowerment: We improve the livelihoods and empower the rural
communities by providing them with various services and opportunities, such as skill development,
financial literacy, financial inclusion, digital health, wellness, telemedicine, eco-friendly commutation
solutions, monitoring and evaluation of government programs and schemes, etc.