Sunday 25 November 2012



Waynad Trip, Kerela

by: Aakash Banja

Waynad, Uravu field trip Itinerary

15th- 21st November
-Bus from kalasipaliyam to Waynad
-Accommodation- MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Arani Community Training Centre. All meals provided in the facility.

Day 1:
-Visit to Uravu’s main centre to familiarize with bamboo (Morning).
- Followed by an outing into the bamboo forest (afternoon)
- Finally   a look at the Uravu Bamboo Nursery. (Evening)

Day 2:
-Visit to four bamboo clusters, namely:
v  Niravu
v  Unarvu
v  Sneha SHG
v  Soubhagya

Day 3:
-Climb to Edakkal caves. (Morning)
- Visit to the Wayanad Tribal Museum. (Post lunch)
- Venture into the Meppadi Forest Reserve-Suchipara Waterfalls. (Evening)

Day 4:
-Early morning hike up a hill close to the research foundation.
-Visit to Kanavu tribal school. (Post Lunch)
- Kalpetta town visit. (Evening)

Day 5:
-Revisit to Uravu to have hands on experience with Bamboo (All day).
-Night bus back to Kalasipalyam from Kalpetta.

Uravu

The primary objective of the trip was to observe the NGO Uravu (Uravu Indigenous Science & Technology Study Centre) at work, analyze its system of functioning, setup, marketing etc. And in response come up with possible design interventions to improve the existing setup.
Uravu is a trust, an NGO which has been operation for the last 16 years. The word ‘uravu’ means ‘a source of natural spring water’. The non-profit bamboo craft trust is headed by the President C. Surendra Nath. It is based in Wayanad because of good growing conditions for bamboo, its rich flaura and fauna and apart from this it is also a very backward district where revenue generation is minimal.
The main goals of the NGO are to:
v  Give back access and control of natural resources to the indigenous locals.
v  Provide knowledge and skill in bamboo craft to the locals so that they are independent and self sustained.
v  Improving the current setup by investing in new technology, consequently leading to greater efficiency in product manufacturing.
v  Marketing of goods i.e. providing a market as well as looking for new markets for expansion of craft.
There have been several positive impacts on the lives of local craftsmen due to Uravu’s initiative. The organization strives to provide opportunities for backward classes and rural women and it has been successful to a certain extent in this aspect. The lives of local craftsmen revolve around bamboo and it has helped them make more out of their livelihood. Uravu functions in a decentralized manner, with production taking place in bamboo clusters or Self Help Groups, building on the concept of Micro Enterprises. Masks, lampshades, Wall hangings, pens, jewelry kitchenware, floor mats are some of the products manufactured by Uravu in the decentralized units.
         
There are 22 bamboo clusters in total. The clusters that were examined closely were Niravu, Unarvu, Sneha and Soubhagya. Niravu has been functioning for the past 8 years. There were 20 artisans in the start and currently only 9. The ones currently employed seem satisfied with work hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The families of the women are supportive and encourage their independence. Members were previously paid on a weekly basis and now on a monthly basis. Niravu is one of the clusters that supplies products to Uravu. Uravu pays Rs.120 for one photo frame and sells it at Rs.400; a series photo frame, consisting of 3 frames makes the artisans about Rs 380 and is sold at Rs.900 (approximate figures). Other products made include pens, flower pots, candle stands etc. The SHG members seem satisfied with this agreement and ask for a raise if they feel it necessary. Niravu is subject to a certain level autonomy by Uravu. Although it supplies to the NGO it falls under the ‘Kalpetta Bamboo Producers Association’ and is therefore not directly under Uravu. There 18 clusters under the federation out of which 6 supply to Uravu and others handle marketing by themselves. All federation craftspeople receive training for 45 days by the RSVY.


Another cluster ‘Unarvu’ shows a similar system of working and patterns of progress. There is a comparable trend in the decline in the number of members. Initially there were 18 and now there are 12, women have left due to personal reasons, marriage or even health reasons such as dust allergies. The currently employed artisans are paid around Rs. 125/day and feel that with this and the revenue generated by the rest of the family they are able to finance the education of their children. They are given paid leave only on ‘Onam’.
In the 4 clusters which were looked at women constitute for the majority of the workforce, at times having only women members. The general level of education of the women is till 12th grade.
Economics:
The financial state of Uravu however isn’t very reflective of their efforts with their current turnover at 62 lakh. It is funded mainly by the government project funds. Mr. Surendra Nath feels that the government isn’t giving bamboo enough importance and is failing to achieve its goals in the sector.
In between 1963-1998, one pulp mill, Grasim Industries had monopoly over bamboo in Kerela. It was exploited single handedly and it was supplied initially by the govt. at Re. 1/ton. Uravu has made an effort to change the monopoly over the market. However discouraged artisans are turning to other occupations. In 1983 30,000 families made their livelihood off of bamboo and by 1998 the number had dropped to only 4,500. There are several reasons for this, the most important one being that other unskilled work opportunities provide better wages than bamboo craft. As a result, mostly underpaid women are commonly employed by Uravu. The artisans were paid around Rs 30/day initially, which still kept them below the poverty line. Gradually over the years there was an improvement in the wages of the artisans and they are now paid up to Rs. 200 depending on their level of skill and productivity. The marketing of goods, the rent of the production building are handled by Uravu. The NGO isn’t the best example of a functional self sustenance model, as it is not profitable yet.

On the other hand, looking into the economics of the clusters at a little more depth the financial condition of the indigenous crafts people has seen a major boost due to their own efforts. Formation of Self Help Groups has led to the Banks responding much more positively to their loan requests. The Niravu cluster has saved over a lakh at the South Malabar Grameen bank (SMGB). Something called ‘thrift’ is practiced, where each member of the SHG deposits Rs 50 in the bank. SMGB and other such banks provide them of upto 3 lakh without collateral.

Natural Resource Management
Wayanad is now becoming a very popular tourist destination due to its rich flora and fauna, waterfalls and even as a result of its indigenous population. The tourism sector is now generating a lot of income; however it is affecting the natural state of the land greatly. The government is attempting to regulate tourism and control its waste trail. The geography of the district supports the life of several indigenous communities, flora and fauna. The Rain hills behind the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation contribute to the Kerela water supply significantly. Upon doing some field work and collection of samples in the same hills, a lot of medicinal plants with uses ranging from treatment of arthritis to hair growth were found. There were holes next to the bases of the trees as well. The tribal people consider the roots a delicacy. A considerable amount of the land in Waynad is declared as land belonging to the indigenous people. They are allowed take whatever resources they want from these lands. Unfortunately, outsiders are now trying to gain control of these lands due to their potential in the industrial sector. Commercially oriented parties are venturing into these lands and seizing them by introducing alcohol and drugs into the tribal community. As a result alcoholism is a growing concern in Kerela’s relatively backward parts. Waynad is rich in many resources with its tea, coffee plantations and eucalyptus trees. Cottage industries are selling lemon grass and eucalyptus oil in certain areas. Paddy fields, banana and bamboo plantations are also spread across the varied topography of Waynad.
                     


12.5 million People today directly or indirectly use bamboo every day and hence should not undervalue its importance as an eco-friendly resource. Kalpetta in particular is starting to be known for bamboo. Uravu is trying to build on this through the concept of ‘bamboo for living and living with bamboo’ by attemptings to reengage the tribal population in bamboo craft, calling it ‘rediscovering bamboo’.

There are several factors that make bamboo a very good resource to invest in, in the near future.
v  Bamboo prevents erosion of top soil from downpours and helps in absorption and retention of moisture
v  Grows at a very rapid rate almost 3 times as fast as eucalyptus
v  Reaches harvestable age in 3-4 years
v  Bamboo shoots provide food security
v  Reaches maximum height at 40-60 years generally.

Kanavu

An interesting establishment in Waynad is Kanavu. In 1993 social reformer, writer, political figure, K.J. Baby started Kanavu as residential and educational facility. Initially made to provide alternative education to the children from tribal backgrounds, it is now free to all. It is not a school registered by the Government. The land for Kanavu has been provided by an organization called ‘Vistar’. It runs ‘like a gurukul’ and has 24 students currently (19/11/12). The students are taught ‘self learning’ here and live like a closely knit family. The school had no syllabus at first because 5 different dialects were spoken in the communities around it. Now a more definite syllabus is available in Malayalam as the local communities have caught on to the language. Music, film, dance are integral parts of the course. Sports are an important part of the teaching and Kalari Payattu the traditional martial art is taught as well. There has been a gradual diversification of the syllabus. At the outset Waynad history was taught, then Indian history and now World history. Later other practical arts, pottery, weaving, wood craft clay work were introduced. The students are allowed to choose a particular area of specialization from a range of subjects. The graduates of Kanavu are eligible to apply for the ‘National Open School’.
The syllabus was developed by collecting classical/folk art and music and books. Kanavu provides practical and directly relevant education at first and encourages learning by doing rather than through books. For this very reason Kanavu has come up with an exchange program in which they travel across the country and gain exposure.


*work in progress*

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