CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

Check Mail
  • Home
  • News & Events

Eco-village Development: An Approach to Self-help Development

A webinar was organized by the Centre for Self-help Development on March 2, 2021 to acquaint development practitioners with basic concept of eco-village model, its approach and possible impact on the lives of village people and preservation of nature and use of natural resources for the common benefit of the people residing in the villages.

Mr. Ganesh Ram Shrestha, ex-Executive Director and current Senior Advisor of CRT/Nepal, gave a presentation on the concept of eco-village in disadvantaged rural areas in Nepal and experience of CRT/N on advancement of eco-village. He also elaborated on potential partnership between CRT, CSD, MFIs as well as grassroots community and their roles and responsibilities in bringing this concept into fruition. He also highlighted on the current status of eco-village program as well as future steps and strategies to be taken while implementing the program.

The program focuses on renewable energy technologies such as improved water mill, improved cook stoves (both mud and metallic) solar home system, solar water pump, hydraulic ram, toilet attached biogas plants and relevant solar thermal technologies such as solar dryer which help keep the environment clean. It also capacitates the locals for the production and use of environment friendly techniques like organic fertilizers. The program also prioritizes school children to focus on enterprise development through environment friendly techniques mentioned above. As there is a surge of youths who go for foreign employment, it is believed that youth entrepreneurship program will help generate employment and stop exodus of migrants in search of foreign employment. It is urged that each MFI select one village and provide loans on renewable energy technologies, water management as well as youth entrepreneurship program as mentioned above. As this approach is holistic development approach, these interventions are entry point or stepping stone for dealing with wider social issues and cross cutting issues such as social inclusion, gender mainstreaming and environment management as mentioned above for the overall development of selected village.

As this concept has wide scope and focus, it also must incorporate multi-stakeholders like local government, local elites, youths and women. As part of this approach Bethanchowk Rural Municipality has taken ownership of this model and incorporated eco-village concept in its Annual Policy and Guidance ( Barshik Niti and Marganirdshan). Other eco-village programs should also be tied with local government which will also help to share the cost of the project.

The Self-help Eco-Village Concept, is currently being implemented in Dharpa, Barhabise Municipality of Sindhupalchowk District under the stewardship of Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. Similarly, Mahila Sahayogi Bachat Tatha Rin Sakari Sanstha Ltd. is planning to implement this eco-village concept in Masine Village, Chandragiri Municapility of Kathmandu.

On the session, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha, Chairman of CSD, said, “We should also extend this program beyond Dharpa. MFIs after selecting the model village should develop a 3-year action plan which includes modality of harnessing local resources and local capacities to initiate poverty free community. The beneficiary community should play the lead role in planning and implementing the program. MFIs will play a catalytic role and also provide loans and coordinate with stakeholders and extend other backstopping support. CSD and CRT will provide technical support in carrying out the activities and carry out periodic and timely monitoring and supervision. Similarly, we should capacitate as well as enrich the skills of the local community in planning and implementing    the activities so that they themselves can decide what is best for them.” He further added, “This program should be implemented in clustered area having 50-100 households and some distance away from highway or major motor roads.  The program should be implemented only after carrying out resource mapping in consultation with the locals and developing a general consensus among the affected stakeholders. “

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lumin Kumar Shrestha, Senior Consultant to CRT/N said, “ As there is exodus of migrant population for foreign employment, there are currently fewer youths in rural areas of Nepal. The 29th AGM of CSD had also prioritized youth entrepreneurship program which would help them be involved in specific economic activities sustaining their livelihood. In similar manner, MFIs should also groom school children so that they can initiate entrepreneurship from childhood and remain in their village. “

Ms. Shova Bajrachary, CEO of Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd, said, “Manushi has initiated eco-village program in Dharpa, Barhabise Municipality of  Sindhupalchowk district. The program is being implemented in the village where  other organizations have not been carrying out their activities. As an activity, we initiated vermin-compost (end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by earthworms to be used as fertilizers) as a start-up activity followed by vegetable farming.“

Ms. Nirmala Acharya, Chairman of Mahila Sahayogi SACCOS, said that her organization has made a visit with relevant stakeholders to Masine, Chandarigiri Municipality of Kathmandu and plans to carry out relevant program on vegetable farming. Mr. Rana Bahadur Saud from Kisan Bahuudeshiya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd said that his organization has already selected a village to carry out eco-village program and plans to construct a total of 250 improved cook stoves, 250 toilets and carry out vegetable farming.

Earlier, Mr. Bechan Giri, Executive Chief of CSD, welcomed the participants which included  Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha, officials of partner MFIs of CSD,  former Executive Director and currently Senior Advisor of CRT/N, Mr. Ganesh Ram Shreshtha, senior consultant to CRT/N, Mr. Lumin Kumar Shrestha and other officials of CRT as well as staff members of CSD. A total of 31  participants from 14 organizations were present in the program.

News

Announcements