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Millions of people in India are still dependent on traditional livelihoods, many of which have significant impacts on wildlife and its habitat. The Communities for Conservation programme seeks to build partnerships with local and traditional communities for effective biodiversity conservation. The programme encourages sustainable traditional practices or alternative livelihoods that do not support exploitation of wild flora and fauna.
Working with the Shahtoosh
Workers in Kashmir
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Shatoosh weaving continues in Kashmir, though in lesser numbers |
During the mid 1990s it was conclusively established that the raw material for highly prized Shahtoosh shawls, produced exclusively in Kashmir, came from the Chiru (Tibetan antelope) that was killed in the process. To save the Chiru from extinction, it was deemed necessary to stop the production and trade in Shahtoosh. Through this programme, Shahtoosh workers were persuaded to give up Shahtoosh production without compromising their skills and traditions. An exclusive pashmina product was developed as an alternative to provide a viable livelihood.
WTI helped register the Kashmir Handmade Pashmina Promotion Trust (KHPPT) an organization of artisans, which brings together the traditional artistry of Shahtoosh & Pashmina workers to promote Kashmir Handmade Pashmina and to establish it as an exclusive brand. It is helping to revive forgotten techniques of processing pashmina, which is combed from a farmed goat. KHPPT has also been granted 'Craftmark,' a handmade process certification mark for Indian handloom products. Its products have been successfully exhibited and sold in India and will now be marketed internationally.
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Trustees signing the KHPPT trust deed in Srinagar |
A weaver on his loom |
Working with the Kalandar Communities
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| A dancing bear with its nose pierced and broken canines |
Kalandar communities keep wild sloth bears and train them to perform, providing a traditional form of entertainment. This practice, in addition to being cruel, has a negative impact on the bear populations in the wild.
WTI has been working with the Kalandar community and state governments in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh to eradicate this practice. To meet this objective, WTI has developed and implemented sustainable livelihood programmes to enable Kalandars to stop relying on the bears as a means of livelihood. So far 22 Kalandar families in MP, 11 in Chhatisgarh and five in Bihar have been rehabilitated. Alternative livelihood opportunities were given to the Kalandars on the basis of felt need after consultation, skill-assessment and the viability of the new vocation. These Kalandars are presently engaged in agriculture, plying passenger vehicles, running grocery shops and other small businesses.
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Alternative livelihoods for kalandars and their families |
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