Conservation Actions

Prakruti, is a civil society organisation formed in 1991 by supporters of Appiko/Chipko( hug the trees movement to protect tropical forests). The main objective is working with forest dwelling indigenous communities to evolve strategies to conserve tropical forests and securing the livelihood of forest based communities.

Over past four decades we have launched several grass roots movements, including Save Western Ghats spanning six states across south India, towards conservation of natural resources that have resulted in change in policies.

Community Engagement

Under the banner of Save Western Ghats Movement we have been able to bring diverse stakeholders under one umbrella to share experiences and evolve strategies for conservation.

We also work on NTFPs, helping the forest communities like Siddi, Halakki Vokkal, and Kunbi to add value to forest produce, and building skills towards sustainable harvesting of NTFPS. We have also worked to highlight the policies that lead to unsustainable harvesting of NTFPs and forcing the government to change these destructive policies.

Biodiversity Conservation

Impact assessment of logging in tropical forests especially in the hilly region. Awareness and lobbying with forest department to minimize the damage.
Training for youth on environment and personality development.
School/ college competitions on different issues.
Slide shows, nature camps and foot marches.
Study of and workshops on Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Sustainable Resource Management

Research on NTFP, wild foods and honeybees with emphasis on economics and ecology of these resources. Emphasis on networking with local communities, and collaborating with state agencies (Karnataka Forest Department, College of Forestry, and others).
Save Honey Bees campaign: To create interest and awareness on local bee species (Apis cerana indica), a campaign has been launched in various parts of Western Ghats.
Workshops on NTFP species, honeybees, wild foods, water harvesting, environmental journalism and other issues.

To Protect Agro bio-diversity and promote Ecological Agriculture

We have conducted workshops on ecological farming systems and carried out a study comparing ecological and conventional methods of farming. Collection of 200 indigenous paddy varieties and distribution of some of them in Uttara Kannada district was also done. Documenting knowledge on traditional herbal medicine, seed selection, conservation techniques, bio- pesticides and management aspects of natural resources were also taken up.

Climate Change Mitigation

Our efforts include restoration and afforestation projects to mitigate the impacts of climate change and restore degraded ecosystems.

Policy Advocacy

We have been actively involved in conservation of the Western Ghats in south India. The effort is to establish a network of activists and civil society organizations who are working in Western Ghats. A meeting was held in Goa in Feb 2009 with 270 participants expressing their solidarity with the SWGC.

Green felling: State Government has stopped clear felling of trees in natural forests, instead only dead and fallen trees shall be harvested in the forest.
Campaign for CFM (Community Forest Management). Due to our effort, ODA (Overseas Development Agency) has reviewed the forest development activity it has funded in Uttara Kannada district. It has set up an independent committee to review the activities and has provided critical suggestions for the proper implementation of the project for the eco-development.

Sustainable use of natural resources: Ban on certain critical NTFPs after lobbying with the Forest Department. Sustainable harvesting practices for several NTFP species and development of the species through propagation and natural regeneration.