An evaluation of the Desert Development Program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, recasting it for cold desert regions, and developing a model for the appropriate development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

A study of water management issues in the cold deserts, covering water for irrigation as well as water for domestic use, leading to the identification of potential technologies for harvesting, storage and distribution, and including the establishment of 1 pilot project (a snow reservoir).

Pragya has carried out a World Bank sponsored and WAPCOS coordinated study on water management in cold, arid zones. An extensive survey was carried out in the target area including community-based assessment as well as hydrological data collection for each bio-geographic area, focusing on understanding of the water management issues and context. The technique of harvesting snow by creating snow reservoirs in the winter months was pilot-tested in the Himalayan village of Poh situated at around 11,000 feet. The harvested snow thaws at a time when the farmers need the water for irrigation the most. A follow-up project is being implemented in 5 high altitude districts in the western Indian Himalayas. In collaboration with the state departments, it has demonstrated several irrigation technologies, ranging from snow/water harvesting to drip and sprinkler irrigation to target groups. It has enhanced the uptake of these technologies in the region, and consequently land and water management and improved crop productivity. A range of water and sanitation measures have been promoted, including snow/water harvesting and conservation, potable water systems, spring revitalisation measures, and community toilets.

Evaluation studies of various projects of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, involving field surveys and assessment of achievement levels against program goals.

A study of Common Property Resources in the eastern Himalayas, includingassessment of current status and impact of degradation on users, especially women, and exploration of management strategies, both traditional community management practices and as well as newer strategies.

An assessment of various rural livelihoods programs and a study of best practices in microenterprise development, followed by the crystallization of strategies for the donor community, and design of a prototype for effective interventions.

India has had long experience with micro-enterprise development interventions. Over the years, several models for Micro-enterprise Development (MED) have emerged in the country, which seem to have a certain ‘perennial philosophy’ or a similar essence, although there are many differences as well. But no universal model has yet been developed for a successful micro-enterprise intervention. This Pragya project, supported by JBIC, worked in collaboration with SIDBI and NABARD to develop a prototype for propelling the growth of micro enterprise development in the country. It involved consultation with more than 100 agencies from 16 states in India. The model depicts a six-year incubation process for the development and establishment of micro enterprises. A user-friendly kit was developed which was received well by the different actors involved in the process. The study also worked on developing a strategy for the dissemination of these tools and a model for an Institutional Network for the MED sector to facilitate overall sectoral development.

A research study on evaluating potential of NFEs for employment & income enhancement in the eastern Himalayas, with an in-depth study of the state of Sikkim.

Mountain regions are typically dependent on primary production and hence trapped in poverty and backwardness. Recognising the need for infusing value-adding/alternative livelihoods in the region, a comprehensive research was carried out on the potential of small/micro Non-Farm Enterprise in the Himalayan region. The study revealed three high-potential heritage-based enterprises- handicrafts & handloom, agro-products & processing of non-timber forest products, and rural tourism. Development plans were prepared for each of these sectors. The study was commissioned and funded by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India.

The National Medicinal Plants Board engaged Pragya to manage a consultative process aimed at prioritization of species for each agro-climatic zone in the country, and preparation of strategies for conservation and development of prioritized species, to serve as inputs for the preparation of schemes under the eleventh plan.

A study on the voluntary movement in select backward states in India, and the crystallization of development strategies, design of a toolkit and resource directory.

The remoteness and harsh conditions, the environmental fragility, the geographical spread and low population density, and the unique but closed cultures severely limit the reach of development and access to opportunities in mountain regions. In any poorly developed region, civil society forms an effective bridge between administrators and the local populace and leads to benefits reaching the most vulnerable sections of the population. Yet the disadvantaged mountain regions have a rudimentary, and not particularly effective, civil society. The Pragya study on Voluntarism in Mountain Communities was commissioned by CAPART and UNICEF, and involved an assessment of the civil society movement in these challenging mountain areas. The recommendations of the study included strategies for the development and enhanced effectiveness of the NGO sector in these regions, along with the design of a toolkit for enhancing capacity of development resources (including NGOs) in voluntarism-weak areas, and training select NGOs in North East India, for UNICEF and National Foundation for India.

The development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

te development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

te development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

te development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

te development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.

To be updated.

te development of cold deserts.

Being a distinct biome, cold deserts need focused research and a concerted effort in terms of natural resource management, especially in the light of their vulnerable ecosystems and highly deficient natural resource status. However, their remoteness has led to them being severely neglected, while development trends are leading to increasing environment degradation. Pragya worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India to recast the Desert Development Program, till then designed for hot deserts, to develop norms and schemes suitable for the cold desert areas of the country. The project involved collaborative research involving concerned department staff and R&D institutions as well, into the environmental conditions and development mediators in the Himalayan cold deserts, in order to evolve a model for appropriate development and environment monitoring for the region. The findings of the study have been used as inputs for modifications in the government-delivered Desert Development Programme to make it applicable to the cold deserts.