Waynad
Trip, Kerela
by: Aakash Banja
Waynad, Uravu
field trip Itinerary
15th- 21st November
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)
- 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)
- 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*
No comments:
Post a Comment