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DA Digest
August 2017
UPCOMING
EVENTS
trialogue2047 on 'Solutions for Solid Waste Management in India', Delhi
Development Alternatives (DA) organised the trialogue2047 on 'Solutions for Solid Waste Management in India' on 28th July 2017 in Delhi, in partnership with EU, GEC and CLEAN India. The three eminent speakers included Ms. Almitra Patel (Member, Supreme Court Committee for SWM, National Expert, Swachh Bharat Mission), Ms. Swati Sambya (Programme Manager, Environmental Governance - Waste Management, CSE, Delhi) and Ms. Laxmi Narayanan (Co - founder, KKPKP, Pune and SWaCH). The discussion focused on the alternative ways to manage solid waste and the role of the government, private players, civil society, communities and individuals in solving the solid waste problem of India.
Round Table on 'Sustainability of FPOs', Uttar Pradesh
A round table was organised by DA, with support from Heinrich Boell Foundation, on 22nd August 2017, at NABARD, Lucknow. The consultation on 'Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations' comprised of a presentation on the key findings of the research conducted by DA, followed by technical sessions on the three areas of sustainability that are associated with FPOs: Institutional Strength, Business Performance and Ecological Sustainability. It witnessed participation from 20 key stakeholders representing academia, practitioners, civil society organisations and the government. They discussed various barriers, enabling factors and opportunities for the growth of FPOs and emerging policy lessons.
MaS-SHIP Regional Workshop, Maharashtra
The first regional workshop of UNEP Project, MaS-SHIP (Mainstreaming Sustainable Social Housing in India Project), was conducted on 21st August 2017 in Mumbai. The objective was to enhance sustainability in the construction of social housing, through adoption of suitable construction, as well as operations and management practices, by exploring alternative building materials, their selection criterion and challenges in use. DA, UN-Habitat and TERI gave presentations and highlighted how environmental, social and economic dimensions need to be looked at in coherence; and that one can begin by modifying the existing technologies and spreading awareness among the stakeholders.
Swachh Bharat Mission Exposure Workshop, Delhi
DA was invited by National Institute of Urban Affairs, on 24th July and 7th August 2017, to deliver a talk to an audience of 120 people, on the 'Decentralised Solid Waste Management' project undertaken at Saraswati Vihar, Delhi. DA showcased its Green Gold Project as one of the best practices in the field of solid waste management. This project provided an opportunity to the citizens of Delhi and NCR to separate their organic waste and convert it into useful manure through composting. DA also shared its experience on the importance of incentivisation in engaging the community through creative communication processes, such as quizzes, art and craft competitions, fliers and badges.
Building Tour at Development Alternatives, Delhi
A DA-building tour was organised for the students of School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi on 16th August 2017. 40 students and 2 teachers participated in the interactive session which focused on understanding the intricacies of alternative building materials. DA building stands as a living ecosystem - a fine balance of natural and man-made processes employing environment-friendly energy, material and water management methods - thus promoting the concepts of zero emissions, alternative technologies and eco-friendly construction practices.
Convocation of TARA Akshar+ Graduates, Delhi
TARA Akshar+ held graduation ceremonies on 25th July 2017 in Dwarka (West Delhi) and 26th July 2017 in Preet Vihar (East Delhi), for a total of 112 women enrolled under CII 'Gift Her Education' project. The chief guests including Mr. B.B.L. Rao (Former Director, Planning Commission, Government of India), Ms. Jaya (Senior Teacher, Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi) and representatives from NIOS and Nigam Parshads of Kakrola and Vishwas Nagar were present. They appreciated TARA Akshar+ for empowering women on such a large scale.
Debriefing on the Water Campaign, Madhya Pradesh
The Water Campaign Debriefing meeting was organised by District Development Manager (DDM), Tikamgarh, on 10th July 2017, chaired by Mr. Subhash Dey (NABARD DDM, Tikamgarh) and Smt. Priyanka Das (Collector of Tikamgarh). The campaign worked towards generating awareness on efficient and sustainable use of water in agricultural practices among farmers. DA has been the implementation partner for the campaign. The rural communities contributed in the activity of desilting of the ponds in the rural areas of Orchha and Niwari cluster.
Exhibition of Textile Products and Graduation Ceremony, Uttarakhand
An Exhibition cum Graduation Ceremony was organised on 16th August 2017 at Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand under the Sustainable Community Development Project: 'Hariyali, Udyamita aur Sampannata', for 25 trainees of the Sewing Machine Operator Course at the Godrej Disha Skill Development Centre, Bhagwanpur. The event commenced with an exhibition of textile based products made by the trainees, followed by a graduation ceremony. They also shared their success stories and expressed how their lives have transformed, taking a pledge to carry forward this empowerment process.
Joint Rapid Needs Assessment of Flood Situation, Rajasthan
DA, along with Unicef India and Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Gandhi Nagar, conducted a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA), on 8th and 9th August 2017, to understand and assess the impact of flash flood on shelter, food nutrition, health and WASH behaviours of the villages of Sanchore and Chitalwana blocks (Jalore district, Rajasthan). A total of 269 villages out of 767 in Jalore have been declared flood affected, and 548 schools affected due to flash floods. The government and civil society organisations working in these areas reached out to 9500 individuals with water, food and chlorine tablets every day during these occurrences.
Strengthening Institutions of Governance,
Madhya Pradesh
DA representatives participated in Gramsabhas held at Kamhar Pathari and Govindnagar villages of Datia Taluka, Madhya Pradesh, on 15th August and 18th August 2017, respectively. The discussions revolved around the accomplishments of tasks as per the micro-planning done under the Hamara Gaon Programme. The Gramsabha acted as an interactive platform, wherein the community put forth their requirements pertaining to sanitation, housing, agriculture, solid waste management, etc. The Hamara Gaon Programme is operationalised on the principle of Environmental Well-Being, Economic Development and Social Prosperity.
UNDP Youth Convoy Meeting, Delhi
A team from UNDP Youth Convoy, India, visited 'Centre of Excellence', Ghitorni, on 17th August 2017, to understand the ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Delhi NCR region, through DA Group's intervention with the women's group under the 'UNDP Centre of Excellence' project. The event was designed to have a live and real time interaction with the entrepreneurs associated with the UNDP Youth Convoy team. This direct interface encouraged the women to take a positive outlook on the challenges they had to face in setting up their enterprises. Moreover, they were recognised as role models for taking a career leap in their respective areas of work.
Training on 'Start Your Own Business', Delhi
In the month of July 2017, over 60 potential women entrepreneurs (from Noida and Khoda regions of Ghaziabad), in three batches, underwent a four day training on Start Your Own Business, as part of the project 'UNDP Centre of Excellence'. Two certification events were organised on 24th July 2017, recognising their skills and encouraging their prospective enterprises. For this, a post training counselling session was also organised to address the challenges faced by them and enable a start to their enterprises - 7 women have already established their enterprises in tailoring and home-based beauty sectors, with a minimum investment of INR 10-15,000 each.
GTWG for Sustainable Habitat Sector in India
DA has been selected as a part of the Global Technology Watch Group (GTWG) for Sustainable Habitat Sector, under the National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change by Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) (Department of Science and Technology, Government of India). The working group would be observant of the state of the art technologies emerging globally, which in turn will equip our nation in facing adverse climate change implications. The working group will provide inputs to the National Missions being implemented under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Poverty Environment Partnerships 22 on Investing in Natural Capital, New York
The Poverty Environment Partnership (PEP) is a global network working towards climate-resilient poverty reduction and inclusive green and blue economies. The conference on 'Investing in Natural Capital for an Inclusive Green and Blue Economy to Implement the SDGs and Paris Climate Agreement' was held from 19th-22nd June 2017 in New York, where Zeenat Niazi, Vice President - DA, conducted sessions on knowledge and science for natural capital and local solutions for pro-poor environment & climate for the SDGs. DA, as a member of PEP has committed to support the call for action to tackle poverty, environment and climate issues, and has contributed in the Joint Paper on 'Getting to Zero' which proposes a triple vision for the next 15 years of 'zero extreme poverty, zero net climate emissions, zero net loss of natural assets' and emphasises the need for structural reforms, and improved inclusion. Watch the video on 'Getting to zero: emissions, extreme poverty and natural assets loss'.
Systems Thinking and Identification of Cross-Sectoral Inter-Linkages, Delhi
A session on 'Systems Thinking and Identification of Cross-Sectoral Inter-Linkages' was conducted by Dr. Anupam Saraph, Systems Thinker and Planning Expert, as part of DA's project 'Contextualising the Ecological Sustainable Development Goals in India', on 16th August 2017 at DA Headquarters. The event witnessed participation from 9 people, from DA and other external organisations such as WWF - India. The main outcome of the two and a half hour session was an appreciable understanding on systems approach to help us ascertain inter-linkages, indicators and mechanisms for integrated planning in the context of SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 - Climate Action and SDG 15 - Life on Land.
Publications
Policy Brief Series on 'Decoupling Energy and Resource Use from Growth in the Indian Construction Sector', Development Alternatives
The policy brief series provides stakeholders with the necessary information on how to improve efficiency to reduce the resources and energy needed for this growth, and meet the country's increasing development needs through decoupling.
TARA Akshar+ helps Geeta weave Self-Confidence and Independence in her life
TARA Akshar+ is an ICT based Adult Literacy Programme. Being run in more than 8 states, it has made about 2 lakh women functionally literate. This video is the success story of Geeta Devi, a TARA Akshar+ graduate from Uttar Pradesh.
DA in News
Bamboo and its Future in India
Bamboo is known to be one of the greenest building materials available today. Worldwide, building with bamboo is an ancient tradition in the regions where the plant grows in abundance, such as South America, Africa and, in particular, South-East Asia. Indian bamboo sector itself generates about 432 million workdays annually. In this article, Astha Saxena, Development Alternatives, emphasises the need and significance of establishing a flourishing bamboo industry in India.
This article has been published in the Bulletin of National Cooperative Housing Federation of India (NCHF), Delhi, Vol. XXX, no.1, July 2017, p.7.
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