Training in livelihood generation by HESCO empowered the rural women of Chakrata, Uttarakhand
Details:
Skill training in livelihood activities can go miles in empowering the village and tribal women and generate a plethora of employment opportunities for the vulnerable section. Women folks of Khoi village in Chakrata, Uttarakhand, which is now an integrated model village, are empowered in a real sense after Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) and DST provided training to these women in various livelihood activities production and packaging of Jam, pulses, juices, poultry farming, animal husbandry, mushroom cultivation, etc. These women have also imparted training in the preparation, packaging, and marketing of Buransh (Rhododendron) juice~ a species found in native forest and in much demand owing to its medicinal properties.
“Inspired by us women from other villages are also joining us. We are now providing training to other women and are now earning 1 Lakh-1.5 Lakh per annum. Further, training provided by HESCO has increased the shelf life of our products,” said Nirma Negi, a young woman.
Women of Khoi village belonging to all age groups are now feeling empowered. An older woman said that earlier beekeeping was done for the family consumption only but with the training in beekeeping honey production has increased and packaging and selling of honey in the local market has generated employment opportunities and earned good dividends.
“Now the male members have also started supporting us in our efforts contrary to earlier when women were not allowed to step outside for group meetings,” said another woman.
Such success stories are the real impetus to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and are indeed an example for others.
Principal Investigator: Dr Himani Purohit, HESCO. himanipurohit9@gmail.com
Implementing Agency: Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), HESCO Goan, Village Shuklapur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Funding Agency: SEED Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST)
