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| research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-01 11:09] – sanjeev | research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-05-16 12:50] – sanjeev |
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| ==== Gro World _ RUrban Permaculture ==== | ==== Gro World - RUrban Permaculture ==== |
| | Note: This research began with the working title, 'Gro World - Urban Permaculture' which has now been modified to 'Gro World - RUrban Permaculture'. The researcher has found strong, continuous links between Indian cities and the immediate rural surroundings. This is an important departure from cities elsewhere. These //urban villages// produce food, milk and other services for the city. 'RUrban' refers to this symbiotic relationship. |
| This report from [[sanjeev shankar]] is in progress as of 2008-03 | |
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| ==== Context ==== | === Introduction === |
| |
| * //introduction// | {{:perma93.jpg|}} |
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| “I make it my business to extract from Nature whatever nutriment she can furnish me, though at the risk of endless iteration. I milk the sky and the earth.” ((Henry David Thoreau, Journal, 1817-1862)) | Plants are the centre of the web of life. The growth of urban centres around the globe has had a critical impact on ecology. Some of the questions at the core of this research are: |
| | * Is there an ecological limit to economic growth? |
| | * Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? |
| | * Is there an option to treating forests as sacrifice zones for urban growth ? |
| | * How can we imagine a fertile future for our cities? |
| | This project explores aspects of human environment, its relation with ecology and our attempt for sustainable growth. The research relates to the fields of human plant interaction, urban ecology, sustainability and biomorphism. The research documents the global status of urban permaculture and explores ways in which we can transform our cities into productive, healthy, edible and playful green visions: visions which go beyond parks, horticultural imports and golf parks. In recent years there has been a growing public movement to bring ecology out of the bush and into the urban environments where most people spend their time. While, urban ecology continues to become more important, people in emerging cities continue to grapple with the problem of a balance between 'growth' and conservation. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to initiate collective public action to bridge this gap. |
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| “The different branches of science combine to demonstrate that the universe in its entirety can be regarded as one gigantic process, a process of becoming, of attaining new levels of existence and organization, which can properly be called a genesis or an evolution” ((Thomas H. Huxley, 1825 - 1895)) | This journey started in Brussels and Amsterdam through informal discussions between the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the design researcher, Sanjeev Shankar. Thereafter, the base shifted to India where Sanjeev visited New Delhi, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Beulah organic farm in Tamil Nadu, the Rain Forest Retreat and the Krac-A-Dawna biodynamic farm in Karnataka. The project has also been benefitted by discussions with Ms. Suprabha Seshan, director of the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary; Dr. Sujata and Anurag Goel, founders of the rain forest retreat and Juli and Vivek Cariappa, founders of the Krac-A-Dawna farm. Further site visits in New Delhi included Sarai_Centre for Social Development Studies; Tata Energy Research Institute; Khoj_a community of artists and Chandani Chowk_ a 15th century thriving settlement in Old Delhi. In New Delhi, the research was also informed by on-field studies by Sonal Malhotra, a local designer. The research has since proceeded through follow up exchanges with other members of FoAM: Evelina Kusaite, Cocky Eek, Theun Karelse, Steven Pickles and Nik Gaffney and concluded at the GroWorld design session in Brussels on 15th April 2008. The findings of the research were also presented at the Media Ecologies workshop at St. Erme in France. These findings would find use in regions, which have a strong tradition of agriculture: China, Japan, India, Guatemala, Costarica and Peru, to name few of them. And, through a comparative analysis of the urban character, gardening trends and culture of Europe and India, this research strives to bring out aspects which can inform a sustainable growth pattern in these regions. Further, the section on urban permaculture kits, explores a series of design experiments which could act as catalysts for product solutions and initiatives for the future city. |
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| {{:perma61.jpg|}}\\ | === India === |
| |
| Plants are the centre of the web of life. The growth of urban centres around the globe has had a critical impact on ecology. In recent years there has been a growing interest and public movement to bring ecology out of the bush and into the urban and suburban environments where most people spend their time. Whereas traditional ecology is mainly about connectedness within the natural world,the new focus lies on having a holistic and inclusive approach to build deeper links with ecology in our midst beyond doing conservation in isolated national parks. Some of the questions at the core of this research were: Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? Can we be perceptive enough to see our planet in a way that tells them that they too are part of nature? Is there an option to treating forests as sacrifice zones for urban growth ? Is there an ecological limit to economic growth? What is the future of our cities? Can there be a differentiated green identity of a future city? This research documents the current status of urban permaculture and explores ways in which we can transform our cities into productive, healthy, edible and playful green visions: visions which go beyond parks, manicured lawns, horticultural imports, bonsai and 'beautiful' golf parks. They strive to bring back plants at the core of our daily life and existence. | India, which has been traditionally known for its diverse culture and strong traditional agricultural methods is today synonymous for rapid growth and transformation both in rural and urban areas. The nation thrives and lives in both rural and urban areas. New Delhi, situated within the metropolis of Delhi, is the capital of India and provides a dynamic and complex urban setting. Though Delhi continues to be the political and administrative capital of the country, it also plays a crucial part of the global political economic scenario. With a population of over 15 million the city is undergoing massive change. A couple of decades ago the area surrounding the city was mostly agricultural. One could drive out of the city, and quickly enter into a very rural countryside. Today, the situation is different. Now the city is increasingly in the midst of a continuous urban sprawl. Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon are now ‘extensions’ to the city, even though they are in other states. The pace of change has been so fast that it is strange to find vegetables and flowers being cultivated below high speed flyovers and in front of emerging shopping malls! Delhi has over 40% of it citizens living in slum like conditions. Often these habitations have been inter-seeped amongst the affluent colonies and have formed the informal service sector. However, over the past decade they are being systematically thrown out. The river banks too were till recently a site for the poor. As demand for scarce land rises, there is an ongoing change in the demographics of residential areas. After a concerted city action in early nineties over 7500 hectares of forest are now legally protected in the city, and through another law, tree cutting needs special permission. Similarly Non Governmental Organisations along with the Courts forced the conversion of public transport from diesel to CNG, a cleaner fuel. At the social and physical level, Delhi remains a historical, multi-layered fragmented city, with each fragment contributing in its own way to the city fabric. Over time, these multiple layers of historicity are expressed through multiple identities and realities. Such multi layered city character is very common in India and creates a complex dynamic within the city. |
| |
| * //brief summary of the cultural/scientific/social/... context within which the research took place// | === Research Brief === |
| The research started in Brussels and Amsterdam through informal discussions between the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the design researcher, Sanjeev Shankar. Thereafter, the research base shifted to India where Sanjeev visited the urban villages in New Delhi, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Beulah organic farm in Tamil Nadu, the Rain Forest Retreat in Karnataka and the Krac - A - Dawna organic/bio dynamic farm near Mysore. The project has also been benefitted by detailed discussions with Ms. Suprabha Seshan, director of the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary; Dr. Sujata, founder of the rain forest retreat and Juli and Vivek Cariappa, founders of the Krac-A-Dawna farm. Further site visits in New Delhi included Sarai_Centre for Social Development Studies; TERI_Tata Energy Research Institute; Khoj_a community of artists and Chandani Chowk_ a 15th century thriving settlement in Old Delhi. The research has since proceeded through follow up exchanges between the producer and the design researcher and will conclude at the GroWorld design session in Brussels in April 2008. | |
| | |
| //Geographic location// | |
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| India, which has been traditionally known for its diverse culture, vibrancy and strong traditional agricultural methods is today synonymous for its rapid growth and transformation both in rural and urban realms. This nation thrives and lives as much in rural areas as it does in its cities. | |
| | |
| New Delhi, situated within the metropolis of Delhi, is the capital of India and provides a dynamic and complex urban setting. To think of Delhi today, one has to see it in a context of both its changing topography, as well as it being the capital of rapidly changing India. Though it continues to be the political and administrative capital of the country, today it also plays a crucial part of the global political economic scenario. With a population of over 15 million the city is undergoing massive change. | |
| | |
| A couple of decades ago the area surrounding the city was mostly agricultural. One could drive out of the city, and quickly enter into a very rural countryside. Today, the situation is different. Now the city is increasingly in the midst of a continuous urban sprawl, with surrounding urbanization extending uninterrupted. Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon are now ‘extensions’ to the city, even though they are in other states. The pace of change has been so fast that it is strange to find vegetables and flowers being cultivated below high speed flyovers and in front of emerging shopping malls! Delhi has over 40% of it citizens living in slum like conditions. Often these habitations have been inter-seeped amongst the affluent colonies and have formed the informal service sector. However, over the past decade they are being systematically thrown out. The river banks too were till recently a site for the poor. As demand for scarce land rises, there is an ongoing change in the demographics of residential areas. In the early nineties, a concerted city action led by environmentalists forced the conversion of prime forest land into a development zone. Over 7500 ha of forest are now legally protected in the city, and through another law, tree cutting needs special permission, even on one’s own land. Similarly NGOs along with the Courts forced the conversion of public transport from diesel to CNG, a cleaner fuel. At the social and physical level, Delhi remains a historical, multi-layered fragmented city, with each fragment contributing in its own way to the city fabric. Over time, these multiple layers of historicity are expressed through multiple identities and realities. | |
| | |
| //Socio Cultural Context// | |
| | |
| The research has had a global vision. It explores a global perspective of urban gardening and permaculture and ways in which we can contribute to a fertile and healthy city. The focus here is to compare urban gardening in Benelux and India. Within India, on one hand it looks at traditional agricultural methods through on-site in-depth understanding of centres which have rooted themselves in rural and tribal areas; on the other hand it brings into its fold developments and examples from rapidly growing urban centres with the focus being New Delhi. | |
| Though, there have been few efforts to address the issue of integrating ecology into an urban realm, these seem to be happening in a fragmented manner and are yet to reach a tipping point. Urban ecology as a field has resulted in the possibility of system level integration, however, the world is far from seeing a holistic approach to this challenge. In most cases, people fear that an inclusive approach would have a negative impact on 'growth' and their 'comfort'. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to help people contribute to the health of a city in a strategic and decisive manner and thereby direct the benefits arising out of this to improve the situation globally and trigger a positive green domino effect. | |
| | |
| * //brief summary of the cultural/scientific/social/economic context within which the research is applicable// | |
| | |
| This research would find direct use in India and other nations which have had a strong tradition of agriculture, especially the orient (China, Japan) and central/south american nations (Guatemala, Costarica, Peru). Further, through the comparative analysis of urban gardening trends in Europe and India and through follow up exploration and design of urban permaculture kits, this research aims to trigger a platform for a series of projects which would act as catalysts for pratical product solutions and initiatives for a future green city. | |
| | |
| * //description of how the work relates to other works in the field of inquiry // | |
| This project explores aspects of human environment, its relation with ecology and our attempt for sustainable growth. The research relates to the fields of permaculture, ethnobotany, human plant interaction, urban ecology, situationist psychogeography, open source architecture, sustainability, green design, modular systems and bionics. | |
| | |
| ==== Problem/Aim ==== | |
| | |
| * //concise summary of the problem domain/s that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken.// | |
| |
| As stated before the intent of this research is to explore the urban gardening and permaculture trends at a global level and to further explore new ways to establish links between urban realms, its inhabitants and ecology. In the process, the project aims at redefining our relationship with the city and our vision for its future. It attempts to question our prevailing belief system which places nature as an object, to be //viewed, manipulated, commodified and sold//. | As stated before the intent of this research is to explore the urban gardening and permaculture trends at a global level and to further explore new ways to establish links between urban realms, its inhabitants and ecology. In the process, the project aims at redefining our relationship with the city and our vision for its future. It attempts to question our prevailing belief system which places nature as an object, to be //viewed, manipulated, commodified and sold//. |
| |
| This phase of the project has the following objective: | This phase of the project has the following objectives: |
| | |
| * On-line and literature survey of state of the art in urban gardening and permaculture (global perspective) | * On-line and literature survey of state of the art in urban gardening and permaculture (global perspective) |
| * On-site research and comparison of urban gardening in the Benelux and India | * On-site research and comparison of urban gardening in the Benelux and India |
| * A written report in the prescribed format | * A written report in the prescribed format |
| |
| * //justification of the aims (scientific/artistic/historical/etc...)// | Some of the reasons for this project are given below: |
| | |
| * The uncontrolled growth of cities has had a devastating impact on ecology | * The uncontrolled growth of cities has had a devastating impact on ecology |
| * By the end of 2008, half the world's population will be living in cities for the first time in history. (according to UN report) | * By the end of 2008, half the world's population will be living in cities for the first time in history. (according to a UN report) |
| * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, sterile, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms, especially plants which have been an integral part of human survival and existence. | * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, sterile, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms, especially plants which have been an integral part of human survival and existence. |
| * We have more people hungry every day, more unemployment, rising poverty, increased use of pesticides, herbcides and biocides, deteriorating soil quality and depleting forest cover | * We have more people hungry every day, more unemployment, rising poverty, increased use of pesticides, herbcides and biocides, deteriorating soil quality and depleting forest cover |
| * Natural and traditional systems can offer us practical solutions and are a crucial resource to tap into. Problems can be seen as opportunities. | * Natural and traditional systems can offer us practical solutions and are a crucial resource to tap into. Problems can be seen as opportunities. |
| |
| | === Methodology === |
| ==== Methods ==== | |
| | |
| * //concise description of the way the research has been developed from establishing the problem definition to the final results// | |
| |
| The research started with preliminary discussions between the producer and the design researcher in Brusssels to define the project scope. | The research started with preliminary discussions between the producer and the design researcher in Brusssels to define the project scope. |
| This was followed by a visit to the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. A living museum, the hortus is a green oasis in the middle of a bustling urban setting. Thereafter the design researcher shortlisted a series of core topics and [[questions]] which were used as triggers to inform him and in the discussion between him and the users, which in this case were inhabitants of a city. These discussions contributed in establishing the problem and understanding its complexity. In New Delhi, the focus shifted to the inhabitants of the city, the habitat in which they live and their links with nature. Special attention was given to the urban kitchen gardens in New Delhi and Chandani Chowk in Old Delhi which has continued to remain one of the most dense and thriving parts of Asia since the 15th century. Visits to Sarai(Centre for Development Studies) to document ongoing research projects related to ecology along with interaction with artsts at the Khoj community formed the second layer of the study. Interaction with the Biodiversity/Forestry department of TERI(Tata Energy Research Institute), CSE(Centre for Science and Environment) and ICAR(Indian Council of Agricultural Research) formed the third layer of the onsite research in New Delhi. Thereafter, the research focus moved to south India with the first site visit to the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, a place dedicated to conservation and preservation of native plants. Next was Beulah organic farm, which specialises in home made marmalade and wines. Located in rural Udagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, it demonstrates customised solutions for organic plant growth right from the use of liquid organic manure to playing music to trigger their growth. Following this was a visit to the Rain forest retreat, an interesting model as it was one of the few case studies which balances its concern for ecology with a marketing business model. Next was the Krac-A-Dawna bio dynamic farm located in rural Karnataka close to Mysore. The farm produces a range of finished products from wild honey and cinnamon to sesame butter and cotton fabrics. The analysis of these sustainable enterprises in India was an enriching experience. and was backed up by crucial on-line and literature survey about permaculture, guirella farming techniques, traditional agricultural methods and organic farming. Apart from this, the permaculture design course by Bill Mollison and two books, 'An Agricultural Testament' by Sir Albert Howard and 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren have been indispensable to this study. | This was followed by a visit to the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. A living museum, the hortus is a green oasis in the middle of a bustling urban setting. Thereafter the design researcher shortlisted a series of core topics and [[delhi interviews|questions]] which were used as triggers to inform him and in the discussion between him and the users, which in this case were inhabitants of a city. These discussions contributed in establishing the problem and understanding its complexity. In New Delhi, the focus shifted to the inhabitants of the city, the habitat in which they live and their links with nature. Special attention was given to the urban kitchen gardens in New Delhi and Chandani Chowk in Old Delhi which has continued to remain one of the most dense and thriving parts of Asia since the 15th century. Visits to Sarai(Centre for Development Studies) to document ongoing research projects related to ecology along with interaction with artists at the Khoj community formed the second layer of the study. Interaction with the Biodiversity/Forestry department of TERI(Tata Energy Research Institute), CSE(Centre for Science and Environment) and ICAR(Indian Council of Agricultural Research) formed the third layer of the onsite research in New Delhi. Thereafter, the research focus moved to south India with the first site visit to the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, a place dedicated to conservation and preservation of native plants. Next was Beulah organic farm, which specialises in home made marmalade and wines. Located in rural Udagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, it demonstrates customised solutions for organic plant growth right from the use of liquid organic manure to playing music to trigger their growth. Following this was a visit to the Rain forest retreat, one of the few case studies which balances its concern for ecology with a marketing business model. Next was the Krac-A-Dawna bio dynamic farm located in rural Karnataka close to Mysore. The farm produces a range of finished products from wild honey and cinnamon to sesame butter and cotton fabrics. The analysis of these sustainable enterprises in India was an enriching experience and was backed up by on-line and literature survey about permaculture, guirella farming techniques, traditional agricultural methods and organic farming. Apart from this, the permaculture design course by Bill Mollison and two books, 'An Agricultural Testament' by Sir Albert Howard and 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren have been indispensable to this study. |
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| * //justification of the methodology // | * //justification of the methodology // |
| |
| The subject of this project demands a sensitized and practical approach. The methodology was crucial to help the design researcher develop empathy for the cause and also become aware of the complexity of the problem at hand. Visiting the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala and subsequent visits to other sustainable enterprises dedicated to organic methods of farming and revitalisation of traditional Indian farming techniques were crucial to inform the research. It has helped the researcher appreciate the nuances and demands of the project. Reading the book, ‘An Agricultural Testament’ by Sir Albert Howard was a critical experience in realising the huge divide in agriculture methods between the orient and the occident. While, 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren, gives wonderful insights into the genesis of this idea and how it could positivell impact sustainability efforts globally. All of this has helped to create the right references for this project and enabled the researcher to present a lucid and detailed project report to the producer. | The methodology was crucial to help the design researcher develop empathy for the cause and also become aware of the complexity of the problem at hand. It has created a scientific framework to work with, gradually laying emphasis on the method and process of farming. Visiting the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala and subsequent visits to other sustainable enterprises dedicated to organic methods of farming and revitalisation of traditional Indian farming techniques were crucial to inform the research. It has helped the researcher appreciate the nuances and demands of the project. Reading the book, ‘An Agricultural Testament’ by Sir Albert Howard was a critical experience in realising the huge divide in agriculture methods between the orient and the occident. While, 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren, gives wonderful insights into the genesis of this idea and how it could positively impact sustainability efforts globally. All of this has helped to create the right references for this project and enabled the researcher to present a detailed project report to the producer. |
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| ==== Solution/Results ==== | |
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| * //concise description of the actual outcomes of the research // | |
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| === Permaculture === | === Permaculture === |
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| Permaculture is an integrated, interdependent, evolving, multidimensional and creative design response to a world of declining energy and resource availability with emphasis on design processes drawn from nature. It is about values and visions, and design and systems of management that are based on holistic understanding, especially of our bio-ecological and pychosocial knowledge and wisdom. It is particularly about our relationships with, and the design and redesign of, natural resource management systems, so that they may support the health and well being of all present and future generations. | Permaculture is an integrated, interdependent, evolving, multidimensional and creative design response to a world of declining energy and resource availability with emphasis on design processes drawn from nature. It is about values and visions, and design and systems of management that are based on holistic understanding, especially of our bio-ecological and pychosocial knowledge and wisdom. Permaculture also reflects the ongoing evolution of our knowledge systems and can be intepreted to any area which might benefit from such holistic design theory and practice. Human settlements, business enterprises, political and economic systems, learning environments, health field and child rearing can be some of these areas. |
| Permaculture also reflects the ongoing evolution of our knowledge systems and can be intepreted to any area which might benefit from such holistic design theory and practice. Human settlements, business enterprises, political and economic systems, learning environments, health field and child rearing can be some of these areas. | |
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| ’PERMACULTURE’ was originally coined in the mid seventies by two Australians, David Holmgren and Bill Mollison, to describe the design system pioneered as a response to what they, and many others globally, saw as serious challenges to the survival of all of us. Originally derived from the words ‘PERMAnent agriCULTURE’, permaculture has gone beyond it’s roots in looking at strategies to create sustainable food growing methods to become a worldwide movement encompassing all aspects of how we as human beings can live harmoniously in relation to our Earth and it’s finite resources and create a PERManent CULTURE. Permaculture, today has multiple defintions, but one that is particularly useful might be- "To create sustaianble human habitats by following nature's patterns". This thought is clearly manifested in permaculture as a system of gardening but also as the worldwide network of individuals and groups and further in permaculture as a counterculture. | |
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| For many, the Permaculture focus on land and natural resource management is complimentary to the industrial focus of the "green tech" optimists, but there are differences. Permaculture: | |
| * gives priority to using existing wealth to rebuilding natural capital, especially trees and forests, as a proven storage of wealth to sustain humanity into a future with less fossil fuel. | |
| * emphasises bottom-up "redesign" processes, starting with the individual and household as drivers for change at the market, community and cultural level | |
| * more fundamentally, was predicated on the likelihood of some degree of collapse and breakdown in technology, economics and even society, which is not envisaged or designed for by the "green tech" optimists but is a current reality for many people around the world. | |
| * sees pre-industrial sustainable societies as providing models that reflect the more general system design principles observable in nature,and relevant to post-industrial systems. | |
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| The assumptions on which permaculture was originally based were: | |
| * The environmental crisis is real and its magnitude and impact directly threatens our survival. | |
| * The ongoing impact of golbal industrial society and human numbers on biodiversity would be far greater than has ever been. | |
| * Humans are subject to the same scientific laws which govern the entire universe including the evolution of life. | |
| * The inevitable depletion of non-renewable fuels will see a return to general pre-industrial systems dependent on renewable energy and resources. | |
| | |
| Further, insofar as permaculture is an appropriate response to limitations on use of energy and natural resources, it will move on from its current status as "alternative response to environmental crisis" to the social and economic mainstream of the post-industrial era. Whether it will be called permaculture or not is a secondary matter. | |
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| == Permaculture Principles == | |
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| Permaculture is a wholehearted adaptation to the ecological realities of decline and offers us a graceful and ethical descent. The process for providing for people's needs within ecological limits requires a cultural revolution. We appear to have little time to achieve ths revolution and in this context, the idea of simple set of guiding //design principles// which have wide, universal application is attractive. The following principles are slogans which act as a checklist when considering complex options for design and evolution of ecological support systems. | |
| 1.Observe and Interact | |
| 2.Catch and store energy | |
| 3.Obtain a yield | |
| 4.Apply self-regulation and accept feedback | |
| 5.Use and value renewable resources and services | |
| 6.Produce no waste | |
| 7.Design from patterns to details | |
| 8.Integrate rather than segregate | |
| 9.Use small and slow solutions | |
| 10.Use and value diversity | |
| 11.Use edges and value the marginal | |
| 12.Creatiively use and respond to change | |
| | |
| Now, in a situation of descent, //ethics// become indispensable and through their culturally evolved systemic nature lead us to create a more inclusive view of who and what constitutes "us". The three broad maxims or principles which cover these are given below: | |
| * Care for the earth | |
| * Care for the people | |
| * Set limits to consumption and reproduction, and redistribute surplus | |
| |
| How one inteprets the principles listed above and implements them is open for refinement and improvisation. One has to take responsibility and see problems as opportunities, or problems as the solution. Every element here serves multiple functions and every function is served by multiple elements. Using these principles we can come up with a design that is in line with our regenerative world. | For more on this topic please see [[history of permaculture]] |
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| == Urban Permaculture == | ==Urban Permaculture== |
| |
| A permaculture garden is not a garden seen in nature. Though it might have a configuration like a forest in terms of stability and efficiency, it is rich in functional plants which have a strong relationship with each other and result in high yields. In urban situations, space is limited, there may be little or no access to land, and various regulatory restrictions exist when it comes to gardening or having backyard animals. Some of the concepts that people have used in urban settings which have allowed them to circumnavigate these obstacles are discussed below. They are a mix of approaches, ranging from gardening to co-parenting, going across different aspects of sustainability. Further the character of cities in the western world is extremely different from the eastern world. These differences work at social, political and physical level and have shaped these cities. Hence, there is a great diversity in all these examples but the concept of "no loss" links them all. | In urban situations, space is limited, there may be little or no access to land, and various regulatory restrictions exist when it comes to gardening or having backyard animals.((http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/Urban/)) Some of the concepts that people have used in urban settings which have allowed them to circumnavigate these obstacles are discussed below. They are a mix of approaches, ranging from gardening to co-parenting, going across different aspects of sustainability. Further the character of cities in the western world is extremely different from the eastern world. These differences work at social, political and physical level and have shaped these cities. Hence, the examples discussed below are quiet diverse but the concept of "no loss" and an aspect of "community" links them all. Also, though a permaculture garden might have a configuration like a forest in terms of stability and efficiency, it is infact rich in functional plants which have a strong relationship with each other and result in high yields. |
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| * Rooftop gardens: Rooftop gardens are a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of city gardens, enjoying their own set of distinctive benefits. Rooftops are underutilized and rarely-considered urban spaces with great potential for creative development. | * **Rooftop gardens**: Rooftop gardens are a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of city gardens, enjoying their own set of distinctive benefits. Though the idea of roofgardens has become fairly standardized and resolved, rooftops continue to be underutilized and are rarely-considered urban spaces with great potential for creative development. There are essentially [[three options for rooftop gardens]] for rooftop gardens. |
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| There are essentially [[three options]] for rooftop gardens. | * **Vertical gardens**: Vertical gardening is a comprehensive term referring to any manner in which plants can be grown on, up, or against the wall of a building such as a vine, as part of a window shade, as a balcony garden, or in a vertical hydroponic system. Vertical gardens act as good insulators and a source of food. They also increase the life of the structural wall behind, reduce storm water run-off, reduce the heat island effect of cities and improve the water quality. For more details see [[vertical gardens]]. |
| | {{:perma84.jpg|}} |
| | ((www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com)) |
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| * Vertical gardens: Commonly seen in many western cities, vertical gardens act as good insulators and a source of food. They also increase the life of the structural wall behind. Vines are one of the most common plants used to create vertical green facades. | * **Guirella gardening**: Guerrilla gardening is an act of seeding useful plants in public spaces. A form of green pro-activism, primarily practiced by environmentalists, it is related to land rights, land reform, and permaculture. Activists take over ('squat') an abandoned piece of land which they do not own to grow crops or plants. Guerrilla gardeners believe in re-considering land ownership in order to reclaim land from perceived neglect or misuse and assign a new purpose to it. Some guerrilla gardeners carry out their actions at night, in relative secrecy, to sow and tend a new vegetable patch or flower garden. Others work more openly, seeking to engage with members of the local community.((http://weburbanist.com/2007/08/21/urban-ecological-subversion-the-art-of-guerilla-gardening-in-public-spaces/)) Seed-balling is an interesting technique used here. Other pro-active methods include moss-graffitti and mayday actions. Click on [[Guerrilla gardening]] for more details. |
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| * City farms: In New york, numerous vacant plots have been converted into city farms where communities grow there own food. These range from apples to pears. Further, by using graftign techniques, fences can be made entirely out of such plants. In Melbourne, the city farms also play the role of community education centres, which is a brilliant way to introduce kids to aspects of food production. In Davis, California, through the allocation of areas for directing rain water into catchment basins, //swail areas// have been created which over the years have now transformed into productive fruit farms. | * **Kitchen gardens and local solutions**: A source of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers, kitchen gardens are one of the most common, easily maintained and personal manifestation of our links with ecology. As an approach, a kitchen gardener finds the shortest and simplest way between the earth, the hands and the mouth !((http://www.kitchengardeners.org/2005/10/what_is_a_kitch_1.html))In both urban and rural areas, people have been found to develop interesting indigenous planting techniques to meet their daily needs. Often in the form of regular miniature gardens, people in highly dense urban realms resort to container gardening to grow their produce. These could also appear in the form of floating gardens in Amsterdam or Kashmir. In Indian kitchens, a mixture of left over egg shells and tea leaves is used to grow garlic and onions. Garlic has other advantages like keeping snails and fleas away. Fruit and vegetable peels are often added to tea leaves to create compost while left over water, after boiling eggs is added to soil as a mineral and protein rich solvent. Often waste plastic cans and bottles play the role of containers which are used to collect left over water from washing vegetables and rice. 'Tulsi', another native Indian plant, also known as holy basil is used for its medicinal properties and worshipped in many Indian homes where it has a special place in the courtyard.((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum_tenuiflorum)) Kitchens and kitchen gardens are inspiring places and perform the role of local solution generators which result in essential economic and social benefits. The researcher would like to thank his mother, Meena Shankar for sharing simple home solutions to inform this journey.((http://www.cityfarmer.org/kitchenIndia.html))((http://www.indg.in/agriculture/on-and-off-farm-enterprises/kitchen-garden))Further details of kitchen gardens in Delhi have been discussed later in the section on Delhi under [[site visit and survey notes|Discussion]]. |
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| * Cooperative Arrangements: In Santa Fe, a community group is applying for a variance from the city to start using a small open space in their neigborhood for keeping chickens and bees and to plant an orchard. Combining their negotiating power helps with getting a variance, and distributing responsibilities as well as financial burden of setting up a productive environment ensures its stability and long-term success. | {{:perma98.jpg|}} |
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| * Co-Ownership of Assets: In Albuquerque, a group of people that live near each other decided to downsize and now own one truck, which is shared by several households. | * City farms: In New york, numerous vacant plots have been converted into city farms where communities grow there own food. These range from apples to pears. Further, by using grafting techniques, fences can be made entirely out of such plants. In Melbourne, the city farms also play the role of community education centres, which is a brilliant way to introduce kids to aspects of food production. In Davis, California, through the allocation of areas for directing rain water into catchment basins, //swail areas// have been created which over the years have now transformed into productive fruit farms. |
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| * Grafting Fruit Trees: In limited spaces one can still get a variety of fruit, when using a technique of grafting. A desirable variety (early ripening, or developed for storage, etc) is grafted onto an existing rootstock, resulting in trees that bears several types of fruit (now, apples don’t become oranges, but there can be several different apples on the same tree!). | * Cooperative Arrangements: In Santa Fe, a community group is applying for a variance from the city to start using a small open space in their neigborhood for keeping chickens and bees((http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/beekeeping_main/)) and to plant an orchard. Combining their negotiating power helps with getting a variance, and distributing responsibilities as well as financial burden of setting up a productive environment ensures its stability and long-term success. |
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| * Worm Composting: A plastic bin with holes can house a family of red wiggler worms, who will be happy to eat your kitchen waste (eliminating it from the urban waste stream), and these critters will make it into good odor-free compost. | * Co-Ownership of Assets: In Albuquerque, a group of people that live near each other decided to downsize and now own one truck, which is shared by several households. |
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| * The BackYard Forester, Los Angeles: A nonprofit organization, TreePeople leads people towards greening the city, restoring watersheds, ecosystems and neigborhoods. People can turn their yard into a wildlife or bird refuge or create an orchard that produces a surplus to share with food banks ,in the process creating an urban forest. | see [[urban permaculture initiatives]] for other examples. |
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| * The Citizen Pruner, New York: People can get trained in tree care and pruning, and be able to take care of trees, whenever and whereever needed. | |
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| * Chickens in a City: Depending on the location, people may be allowed to keep chickens in their urban yard! The City Chicken - a website, which includes every answer plus city by city listing of regulations for keeping chickens makes this possible! | === Regional Cultural peculiarities === |
| | see [[cultural peculiarities]] |
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| === Europe and India _ urban farming === | === Europe and India _ urban farming === |
| see [[urban farming comparision]] | see [[urban farming comparision]] |
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| === Orient vs Occident_ traditional farming === | === Orient and Occident_ agricultural methods === |
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| see [[traditional farming notes]] | see [[traditional farming notes|agricultural methods]] |
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| === Possibilities for urban permaculture kits === | === Possibilities for urban permaculture kits === |
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| An important question considered by the researcher was, what are the growth symbols/patterns in urban areas? We have an opportunity here, to design responses which will directly impact the situation, related to real estate, construction, mass production, modular systems, transportation and architecture. Responses which soften the 'corporate sheen' of cities to create ubiquitous greens _ **ubiquitous planting**. How can we do this ? As per recent statistics the planet adds 73 million humans to its tally ! Can we add 73 trillion plants every year ? http://www.worldometers.info | An important question considered by the researcher was, what are the growth symbols/patterns in urban areas? Can the challenges in cities be seen as opportunities? How can we come up with design responses which directly impact the situation? This could be related to real estate, construction, mass production, transportation and architecture. As per recent statistics the planet adds 73 million humans to its tally every year!((http://www.worldometers.info)) How can we add 73 trillion plants every year ? |
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| see [[urban permaculture kits]] | see [[urban permaculture kits]] |
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| ==== Discussion ==== | ===Discussion=== |
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| see [[site visit and survey notes]] | see [[site visit and survey notes]] |
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| * **Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam** | ===Directions=== |
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| Established in 1663, the hortus is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world with more than 6000 plants from all over. What started out as a medicinal herb garden, the hortus grows only pure plant species, as they are found in nature. It is also the first botanic garden in the Netherlands to display the molecular systemics of plants to everyone and continues to organize various cultural, educational and botanical activities through out the year. | The idea of growth and sustainability is a journey and not a destination. It is constantly unfolding and evolving. The insights and lessons through this journey go beyond farming. Since, the nature of farming and land is highly interconnected, it affects every aspect of our society. The author would like to conclude with the following directives: |
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| {{:perma21.jpg|}} {{:perma22.jpg|}} {{:perma23.jpg|}} | * The first step is to bring out the connection which exists between a fertile soil and healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy human beings. Land must be safeguarded from the operations of finance and our needs have to be more clearly streamlined. A gradual approach for recovering the land is needed and the benefits of this shared with everyone. |
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| | * The demographic breakdown and scale of impact must be taken into consideration. There is an urgent need for integration. This is extremely crucial in countries like India and Bangladesh, where a large section of the population is poor, illiterate and remains disconnected from the mainstream. |
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| * **Current Status of Organic farming in India** | * The most insightful ideas are also the most basic. These can come from any source, independent of age, status and academic background. |
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| Organic farming is gathering momentum all over the globe and is currently practiced in more than 100 countries. Although the term 'organic farming' is | * Urban communities should join hands with rural areas to create a prosperous and contented countryside, which inturn would become a great support for our future. |
| getting popularity in recent times, but it was initiated in 10000 years back when ancient farmers started cultivation depending on natural sources only. There is brief mention of several organic inputs in our ancient literatures like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Kautilya Arthasashthra etc. In fact, organic agriculture has its roots in traditional agricultural practices that evolved in countless villages and farming communities over the millennium. | |
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| {{:perma26.jpg|}} {{:perma27.jpg|}} | * Critical focus on agricultural research backed by scientific education, traditional wisdom, aggressive trial and error and practical farming experience. This field needs action. We need spirited individuals willing to do physical work with strategic technical assistance. |
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| The term "organic" is best thought of as referring not to the type of inputs used, but to the concept of the farm as an organism, a system in which all the components - the soil minerals, organic matter, microorganisms, insects, plants, animal and humans - interact to create coherent, self-regulating and stable whole. Reliance on external inputs, whether chemical or organic, is reduced asfar as possible. Organic farming is a holistic production system. The main principles of organic farming are the following: | * From an urban farming perspective, personal kitchen gardens seem most effective. They are small, dispersed, diverse, flexible, simple to maintain, easily transformed and directly impact the food situation at a family and community level. They personify the idea of self reliance and feeding ourselves and can be catalysts for larger green initiatives at community, regional level. |
| * To work as much as possible within a closed system, and draw upon local resources. | |
| * To maintain the long-term fertility of soils. | |
| * To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques. | |
| * To produce foodstuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity. | |
| * To reduce the use of fossil energy in agricultural practice to a minimum. | |
| * To give livestock conditions of life that confirm to their physiological need. | |
| * To make it possible for agricultural producers to earn a living through their work and develop their potentialities as human being. | |
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| The four pillars of organic farming are: Organic standards, Certification/Regulatory mechanism, technology packages and market network | * The need for a gradual shift towards a 'we' and 'us' based culture from a 'me' and 'I' based approach. This is one of the most crucial directives and also one of the most difficult to achieve. In some way, it amounts to tranforming the culture of a place and a group. Collective communities like India, are facing a reverse trend with the recent shift towards a capitalist, individual based, self serving attitude under the influence of 'progress'. This can have serious impact owing to the sheer magnitude of India's population. Spirituality, media and the government can play a purposeful role to check this shift. Ironically, a lot of traditional economies which were based on capitalist ideologies are reflecting on a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable approach. Ideas of 'social capitalism' and 'social entrepreneurship' are hopeful signs. |
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| The Indian Agriculture is traditionally organic and farmers were following organic cultivation till the middle of the last century (1950). The Green | * There is a need for information 'exchange' and collaborations between different cultures and contexts to develop a 'greater' system with self reliance and interdependence. Strategic assimilation as a design approach has valid relevance. There needs to be a balance between clear streamlined structures and flexible organic systems; between small self organised clusters and larger fabrics; between independent points of view and a general concensus. |
| Revolution was ushered in India during sixty and it has been the cornerstone of India's agricultural achievement,transforming the country from the stage of food deficiency to self-sufficiency.During the period, the production of food grains has increased four fold, from 50.82 mt in 1950-51 to 212.05 mt on 2003-04. But indiscriminate and excessive use of chemicals during this period has put forth a question mark on sustainability of | |
| agriculture in the long run calling attention for sustainable production which will address soil health, human health and environmental health and eco-friendly agriculture. Organic farming appears to be one of the options for sustainability. Starting of organic agriculture in India in 1900 by Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist in North India, Development of Indore Method of aerobic compost (Howard, 1929), Bangalore method of | |
| anaerobic compost (Archarya, 1934), NADEP Compost (ND Pandari Panda,Yeotmal, 1980)initiated organic agriculture in India. | |
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| The year 2000 was a very important year for India from organic point of view. The four major happenings during this year were: | * In cultural contexts, links with tradition should involve the use of past processes of change rather than the maintenance of past structures and patterns. We have to constantly reevaluate and revalidate our responses and ideas of 'growth' and 'progress' in such turbulent and recursive times. Such metaphors of progress and growth must move towards leaving things inside us rather than behind us. Having said that, if a thing needs to disintegrate and be left behind, we must let it go and let new systems be born. The aspect of ethics is important in such a situation and should be openly discussed. |
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| * The Planning Commission constituted (2000) a steering group on agriculture who identified organic farming as National challenge and suggested it should be taken in the form of a project as major thrust area for 10th-plan. The group recommended organic farming in North Eastern Region, rain fed areas and in the areas where the consumption of agro chemicals is low or negligible. | * We must constantly strive to create fertile and diverse systems which bring culture and nature together. This could be through technology, media or traditional mediums. An important example is the use of science and technology through 'e-choupals'in rural Indian villages to increase crop productivity('choupal' is a hindi term for a village gathering place) . |
| * The National Agricultural Policy(2000) recommended promotion of traditional knowledge of agriculture relating to organic farming and its scientific upgradation. | {{:perma109.jpg|}} |
| * The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture constituted (2000) a Taskforce on organic farming. | |
| * The Ministry of Commerce launched the National Organic Programme in April 2000 and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production(NPOP). | |
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| Vast stretches of India and its farmers continue to be organic by default. Organic fertilizer and natural pest control are the only tools available to most of these farmers, who have always lacked the financial resources to explore chemical solutions. Further, a significant number of them have chosen to farm organically, as their forefathers have done for thousands of years. This has been a concious decision after seeing the impact of the use of chemicals in agriculture. Recently, even though chmicals have been used extensively through out India, eastern and north eastern parts of India still continue to use older traditional methods. | ===Suggestions=== |
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| http://www.ecoworld.com/home/articles2.cfm?tid=349 | The researcher would like to suggest the following threads for the future: |
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| Global statistics do not reflect this fact about India! As per the study (2004) of the Foundation Ecology and Agriculture (known as SOEL), | * Looking at traditional systems of living, farming and education in India which are comparable to permaculture as a holistic approach. The researcher would like to research on Vedanta((http://vedantaworld.org/vedanta.htm)) and other aspects of Indian philosophy. |
| the global organic area is 24 million ha. The major part of this area is located in Australia (about 10 million hectares), Argentina | |
| (almost 3million hectares. Australia /Oceania holds 42% of the world's organic land, followed by Latin America (24.2%) and Europe (23%). In Africa, more than 3,20,000 hectares and 71,000 farms are managed organically, representing about 0.04% of agricultural land. The total organic agricultural area in Asia is now about 8,80,000 hectares, corresponding to 0.07% ofthe agricultural area. The number of organic farm is more | |
| than 61,000. In 2004, India's share was only 0.001 per cent of the global organic market of $31 billion. Certification is the weakest link here. Currently the export of organic products is allowed only if "the produce is packed under a valid organic certification issued by a certifying agency accredited by a designated agency." in October 2003, the Indian Central Government set up a //National Institute of Organic Farming// in Ghaziabad. The purpose of this institute is to formulate rules, regulations and certification of organic farm products in conformity with international standards. The major organic products sold in the global markets include dried fruits and nuts, cocoa, spices, herbs, oil crops, and derived products. Non-food items include cotton, cut flowers, livestock and potted plants. | |
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| The fees for registering a farm as 'organic' and getting international certification is extremely high for small farmers. Further the process is time consuming. Under the government policy in 2005, it took four years for a farm to be certified as organic. The cost of preparing the report was a flat fee of Rs. 5000, and the certificate itself costs another Rs. 5000. While these costs are bearable for the new industrial organic greenhouses, they are equal to or more than an entire year's income for the average small farmer, if the costs of travel and inspection are included. For those farmers who want to make a switch to organic farming, the intermittent 3 year transition period, during which the crops may be less plentiful than with conventional fertilizers and pesticides, and yet the higher price for organic products won't yet be possible because the cetification takes will take time. This is also a deterrent. | * Analysing the attributes of community based approaches in countries like India and how can we create such initiatives in western societies. |
| Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. | |
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| * **Case Study Delhi** | * Rethinking our relationship with other life forms in an infinitely interconnected world. |
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| Some pointers related to organic farming in Delhi: | * Finding appropriate ways and methods to bring 'ethical' thinking as a core topic in design education and education in general. |
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| * As India struggles to deal with stagnation in its crucial agricultural sector, small-scale organic farming initiatives near the capital are providing clues on how to reap healthy profits from the land. | * Creating an **International Platform for Growth and Resilience**, which tinkers towards a more inclusive, collaborative methodology through a system of integration, informed by scientific research, practical experience, randomness, risk and travel. One of the intiatives could be to bring apparently polar groups together to find a common ground. These groups could include men with women; young with old; scientists with traditional farmers; environmentalists with corporate executives; capitalists with social entrepreneurs; secular groups with military regime heads; real estate developers with conservationists; politicians with middle class people; middle class western families with parallel families from the east and so on. At a regional level, the model could work in a bottom up manner with conflicting interest groups being brought together to openly discuss issues. |
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| * Around New Delhi, free-range and organic goods from newcomers to farming are showing that money can be made by growing specialty products that consumers are willing to pay more for. High-value crops which include fruits, vegetables, milk, poultry products and fish are the focus and not cereals. A French Farm in Gurgaon, a suburb of New Delhi known mainly for its call centres, raises thousands of free-range Peking and Muscovy ducks on feed that is free of pesticide and antibiotics. A lot of these products are sold to five star hotels and not the common man on the streets. | * Creating tangible manifestations of human plant interaction to nudge it out of the speculative zone. How would a new relevant design practice emerge through observation of and cooperation with natural systems? The researcher envisions the emergence of a new field of research which merges aspects of urban ecology, design ethnography, cultural anthropology and life science. |
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| * A more recent start-up, **Heritage Health Food**, delivers boxed organic food grown on 80 acres of leased land. The two-year-old firm makes 200 to 300 deliveries a week, priced at between 200 and 400 rupees (five to 10 dollars) depending on weight, and is still to become common with the middle class household. | * Ultimately thinking of ways in which we can create conditions that make independent ingeniuos ideas inevitable and further trigger collective actions in imaginative, purposeful ways. |
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| * "Organic exports are growing by 100 percent a year," according to S. Dave,from the agricultural export council APEDA. | ====References==== |
| "Many people are still going in for traditional farming, which is mostly organic. Four million hectares (9.8 million acres) of land are now devoted to certified organic farming for export, including of mangoes, spices and nuts." | |
| The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed standards for organic exports, and mandatory domestic standards are in the works. This will make it easier and cheaper for farmers to get the kind of accreditation that is recognised abroad. | |
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| * In New Delhi, the **Navdanya** outlets started by environmentalist Vandana Shiva source organic oils and lentils from small farmers. Through their direct market initiative, they also bring different varieties of rice, wheat, flour, dals, rajma, spices, edible oils, breakfast cereals, natural sweeteners, millets, cookies, jams, pickles, squashes, culinary herbs etc. Recently they have partnered with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to avail an existing network of HPCL centres which double up as organic outlets. | |
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| * One of the country's best known brands, **FabIndia**, which began four decades ago selling clothes that drew on craft traditions, has recently branched into organic spices, teas and granola. Introduced in 2004 under the brandname of Fabindia Organics, FabIndia has successfully diversified and positioned its organic range. While it is becoming a source of huge profits for the group, it is also creating an interest and strong market for trsitional agricultural techniques. | The claims and insights in this research have been informed by the [[delhi interviews|interviews]], [[site visit and survey notes|site visits and surveys]] conducted by the design researcher. The surveys have been based on online research and published papers and books. |
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| * Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | Books |
| | * An Agricultural Testament by Sir Albert Howard |
| | * Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren |
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| http://www.navdanya.org/organic/outlets.htm | URLs |
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| http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Organic_Farms_Provide_A_Clue_For_India_Struggling_Farms_999.html | |
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| http://www.twocircles.net/2008feb05/back_roots_india_digs_organic_vegetables.html | |
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| http://manipur.nic.in/rbdc/organicfarming.htm | |
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| http://www.iccoa.org/ | |
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| http://www.ciks.org/ciks%20workreport%202007.pdf (2006-2007 CIKS:Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems report on organic farming in india) | |
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| http://www.fabindia.com/faq.asp?cate=30 | |
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| In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital's green lung, substantial green stretches are seen in schools, universities, military campuses, religious institutions and parks. Certain religious institutions like ISKCON(International society for Krishna conciousness) lay special emphasis on organic farming and have a very successful model to train people in bio-dynamic farming in their national centre in Mysore, near Bangalore. This is part of the Bio-Dynamic association of India(BDAI). http://www.basilacademy.in/html/aboutBasil.htm | |
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| Home gardens are commonly seen in New Delhi with the role of the local 'maali'(gardener) crucial in maintaining the gardens. Some of the most common plants grown in Delhi include green chilis, tomatoes, beans, papaya, grapes, jamun(or jamblang), cucumber, bananas, guavas, money plants, marigold(used for offering prayers) and mangoes. A lot of these edibles are consumed within the household or within the local communities. There is hardly any attempt to process, package or value add the produce as one sees them being sold at reasonable prices on the streets. It is not uncommon to see vendors selling seasonal produce from nearby villages too. Organic gardens are not common within the city realms. With the emphasis on rural agriculture in India, the positive contribution that production within the cities can make has hardly been acknowledged. | |
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| ==Extract from Peri-urban agriculture in India by D S Bhupal, Dr. Fiona Marshall, Dolf te Lintelo== | |
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| * The rural-peri-urban-urban continuum itself is dynamic in nature and the changes are more marked around cities that are rapidly urbanizing or growing both economically and spatially. | |
| * Rural agriculture remains the focus in India. | |
| * A neglect of this issue by the international and national research communities. Indeed, in India, government policies, scientific research communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have shown little recognition of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). | |
| * Urban food security is becoming a matter of increasing concern and urban poverty is reflected in the nutritional status of people. | |
| * The main urban agricultural area in the core area of the city of Delhi is the floodplain along the Yamuna River. The area beyond the urban conglomeration of "Greater Delhi" is still predominantly agricultural and within the wider Delhi NCT (located to the north, northwest and west between the centre of Delhi and the towns situated on its peripheries) lie important but diminishing agricultural areas. The satellite image also clearly depicts the wide extent of agricultural land use in and especially around the city: 44 percent of the land area shown is used for crop production, fallow land, plantation or grassland while 17 percent consists of built-up areas. | |
| * Urbanization and industrialization affect agriculture in the peri-urban areas, as population pressure from the city results in changes in land use - from agricultural to urban land use, be it for housing, commercial, industrial or other purposes. Where the land use remains agricultural, cultivation practices change. Access to urban ready markets for agricultural produce and for seasonal labour open up the possibility of cultivating on a commercial basis high-value, highly perishable crops such as leafy vegetables, replacing storable crops such as cereals and pulses. Industries and their derivative trade and commerce offer new labour opportunities for cultivators and agricultural labourers, resulting in changing occupational structures. | |
| * The role of agriculture as a livelihood strategy for the poor in peri-urban areas: access to land and water is the prime condition for urban peri agriculture | |
| * Wheat, rice and great and spiked millet are cultivated on most of the agricultural land. Vegetable cultivation is also popular. | |
| * The number of days of involvement in agriculture as reported by labourers surveyed ranged from 100 to 270 days per year. On average, agricultural labourers were involved for 48 days in zaid/summer (May-June), 55 days in kharif/wet (July-October) and 52 days in rabi/winter season (October-April). | |
| * Agriculture has an important function in providing employment for poor people in the fringe areas of Delhi. The agricultural activities have a fairly rural character, with dominant roles for cereal (such as wheat, millet and paddy) and fodder crops. Typical cropping systems are millet-wheat; millet-mustard; and paddy-wheat in the kharif and rabi seasons. These cropping systems depend on widely available irrigation facilities - in 1995-96, 89 percent of the land of Delhi NCT was irrigated (Government of NCT of Delhi, 1997). However, farmers opined that frequent interruptions in the electricity supply limited their access to irrigation, particularly for the poorer ones who cannot afford diesel generator sets for pumping. | |
| * The trend in cropping patterns around Delhi is for traditional multicropping systems of local cereal crops, pulses and oilseeds being replaced by high-input high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice after the green revolution. One striking feature of the agricultural systems is that farmers are producing a large amount of green fodder crops such as berseem. These crops demand relatively little attention, allowing farmers to focus their efforts on cultivating other produce. Generally, fodder is grown for cattle feed, and a significant share is used for buffaloes and cows in dairy production. | |
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| //Dairying:// Also in urban Delhi, dairy farming takes place on public land, whether built up or not. Buffaloes can be found in densely populated areas, especially in the so-called urban villages but also in slums. In some of the Yamuna riverfront slums, dairy farms with 40-50 buffaloes can be found. Consequently, dairy production is often more visible than vegetable cultivation or other land-intensive agricultural activities in urban Delhi. Nevertheless, milk and its by-products are characteristically produced in peri-urban and rural areas, while the products are mainly consumed in urban areas. A spectacular early morning sight is offered by the daily "milk trains" entering the city with full milk churns attached to both sides of the train. | |
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| //Vegetables:// Vegetables grown in and around Delhi include cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, mustard (leaves), okra and tomato. In addition, a range of culinary herbs such as fenugreek and coriander are cultivated. The increase in the share of land use for vegetables is partly explained by proximity to the markets. Vegetables, flowers and dairy products are typically high-value and highly perishable products, which need to be produced where there is easy access to export, domestic and local markets. The move towards high-profit crops is a result of economies of scale: farmers aim to maximize their income from relatively small landholdings using their other plentiful resource: labour. Hence, whole families are engaged in intensive but small-scale horticulture. The relatively short growing periods combined with high inputs of irrigation water, pesticides, fertilizers and labour mean that it is possible to produce 3-4 vegetable crop harvests per year from a given plot of land. Nevertheless, farmers are generally keen to spread their risk through diversification of crops, and will not opt solely for high-profit vegetable crop cultivation, as vegetables are vulnerable to pest attacks, extreme weather and uncertain access to irrigation. | |
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| //Contribution to the city's food economy:// Agriculture around cities may improve the access of poor urban consumers to cheap and healthy food. This assessment of the extent to which food commodities produced in UPA areas contribute to fulfilling annual or seasonal demand in Delhi shows that there are large variations among different crops. For instance, the bulk of city dwellers' staple food requirements cannot be met by the UPA areas. In contrast, a majority (in terms of both volume and number) of selected vegetables in the major wholesale markets were found to originate from the UPA areas. The availability of such locally produced fruits and vegetables can contribute to solving highly prevalent urban nutritional problems stemming from insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals. | |
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| //Assessing constraints to production:// UPA is subject to a wide range of constraints to production. Some, for example pest attacks, adverse weather conditions and timely access to inputs such as seeds and pesticides, are common to all agricultural areas, but there are also issues that are specific to this environment. An important emerging constraint is the effect of environmental pollution of the air, soil and water, which potentially compromises the quantity, quality and safety of food produced in UPA areas. | |
| In view of the general lack of awareness about the significance of UPA, creating effective linkages with research and policy communities is of prime importance. Firstly, this requires the identification of key stakeholders from government, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Secondly, in-depth analysis of the existing legal-administrative, policy and commercial environment of incentives and disincentives for UPA farmers needs to be done. | |
| The policy environment in general is marked by a common dichotomy between urban and rural development administration and policies, leaving little scope for acknowledgement of the specific characteristics and needs of agriculture in the urban and peri-urban areas. Agricultural policies are primarily designed for rural areas, and are therefore not always compatible with the needs of UPA farmers. To bridge this gap, opportunities for linking up with activities and programmes need to be identified. | |
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| ==Chandni Chowk, Delhi== | |
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| Also known as the 'moonlight junction', Chandni Chowk is a dense and chaotic urban setting, designed in the 15th century by the mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The place has been a dynamic and thriving epicentre of whole sale trade in north India for 600 years and continues to seamlessly absorb the changes over time. In his search for 'green' spots in this place, the researcher witnessed how religion plays a crucial role in creating a narrative which brings much needed spiritual base for having an inclusive approach in wake of growing pressure from real estate groups. My visit to a 15th century traditional haveli saw a huge 'peepal' tree. The tree has remained in place for over 300 years with changes in built form happening all around it. As Sanjeev walked through the labyrinthine streets to see more informal courtyards and smaller, personal touches of green: marigold flowers in front of the temple, the small 'jamun' tree in the court yard, 'tulsi', 'kadi patta' and money plants, he sees how even in an extremely dense settlement like this, people find ways to establish their links with nature. A visit to one of the oldest jain temples gives a new insight into how most religions have had a sustainable approach to life. A priest informs Sanjeev, 'jain monks are like grazing cattle;they never take too much from one place or person. They take small amounts and then move onto the next spot.' | |
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| ==TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute, Forestry department), New Delhi and FRLHT (Foundation of Revitalisation of local health traditions),Bangalore== | |
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| * http://www.frlht.org.in/ | |
| * http://www.teriin.org | |
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| Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens) in Delhi using the following plants: | |
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| _ Holy basil (English), Rama tulsi (Hindi). The plant is used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, diarrhea and dysentery. | |
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| _ Stevia (English). The processed leaves yield a natural sweetener which is a substitute for table sugar, safe for diabetics, as it does not affect | |
| blood sugar levels. | |
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| _ King of biters (English), Kalmegh (Hindi). The plant is used for treating dysentery, cholera, diabetes, influenza, bronchitis, piles, gonorrhoea, and snake venom poisoning. | |
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| _ Asparagus (English), Shatavari (Hindi). The plant part is used for treating nervous disorders, tumours, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberculosis and bronchitis. | |
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| _ Tinospora Gulancha (English), Giloy (Hindi). The plant is used in the treatment of fever, jaundice, thirst, loss of appetite, urinary diseases, and skin ailments. | |
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| _ Aloe (English), Gwar Patha (Hindi). The plant part is used to heal wounds, ulcers, and burns. It is also used to treat liver and spleen ailments. | |
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| _ Winter Cherry (English), Ashwagandha (Hindi). The plant part is used in Ayurvedic medicines to treat ulcers, fever, cough, rheumatism, leucoderma and to restore memory loss. | |
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| _ Lemon grass (English), Gandhatrina (Hindi). The herb is a stimulant (increases physical or nervous activity), diaphoretic (increases perspiration), and anti-spasmodic (reduce spasm). | |
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| _ Mint (English), Pudina (Hindi). The infusion of leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism. Oil from the plant; know as Japanese Mint Oil is used to cure fever. | |
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| _ Vasaka (English), Adusa (Hindi). Used for treating bronchitis, asthma, and dental ailments. | |
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| This outreach program in urban realms would also lend to revitalising traditional Indian medicinal plant knowledge and create independent seed banks. | |
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| * **Case Study South India** | |
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| ==Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary== | |
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| Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. I am told the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. We move on and see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. I am told that out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. While we are told about a pit viper which is often seen coiled up among the plants, another viper quietly waits next to the pond, attracted by the numerous frogs that breed there. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, I feel there is no other way to protect them. Such single minded focus is what makes this place special. | |
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| The Sanctuary is run by a small group of resident gardeners, naturalists and educators, and supported by a wide circle of well-wishers. Together it offers an approach that is connected to the climate, landscape, ecosystems, plants, animals and people of the region. In Suprabha’s own words, “The focus here is to find creative, localized and effective ways to restore natural places. Termed as ecosystem gardening, this involves working closely with plants and their environments: tending, cultivating, growing, reseeding, intervening, as much as leaving wild spaces alone. There is clear evidence that the forests will return if we give them a chance.” I notice that a large part of the land area is left alone to harness natural restorative powers. In other parts native species are given quick access by pulling out exotic plants. Then there are very small areas where the intervention happens in great detail, where every plant is known and tended carefully and systematically. I witness this with two resident gardeners who are preparing specific solutions for orchids. I see the soil being heated at one end on a customised wire mesh tray to rid it of fungi and numerous casts being prepared to act as tiles or barks for the stag horn ferns which are quiet striking in their form and survival methods. From using the right type of organic manure, to growing a specific plant in the most appropriate location in the entire site to the use of locally available products, I realize that this place has developed answers and solutions over an incredible 25 year period. It has not been easy. During this period, the residents have discovered ways to grow these tender specimens to achieve self-regulation, a time when the plants propagate themselves in complex milieus that resemble their original habitats. It does seem self-sustaining now. Improvisation and recycling has been a crucial key to keep the overheads minimum. It’s heartening to know from Suprabha that, “over time, the distinction between healing areas and the natural forest has diminished. Both, species diversity and forest structure have made a marvellous comeback in areas that had been completely devastated.” This is indeed felt in the surroundings. Over the years as the micro habitats have become more established, everyone has noticed an increase in local fauna_ from butterflies, small mammals and amphibians to birds and snakes. This has been a wonderful bonus for the sanctuary. Apart from conservation and education the work at the sanctuary includes: developing horticultural and conservation skills in local young women; habitat restoration and forest recovery; research in biodiversity, forest ecology, plant taxonomy; and sustainable agriculture and integrated land use to grow the forest farm. | |
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| The sanctuary brings back memories of remote tribes in north east India and the way they allow their work and rituals to become a seamless extension of their life. However, here, the difference lies in a strong sense of independence and pride in the work. Everyone can speak in English and that is a great equaliser. I see joy, love, and complete immersion in everyone’s eyes. | |
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| The results in Gurukula are due to a clear understanding and acceptance of the complexity of the problem and of the diversity of techniques required, including detailed long-term observation, scientific knowledge, sound horticultural practice, rigorous experimentation and excellent team work. I am told that over the years a broad knowledge base of 120 plant families covering ecology, biogeography, taxonomy, plant pathology and horticulture has been developed and this has inspired not just the local and national communities but also many international organizations. | |
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| ==Rainforest Retreat== | |
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| The Rainforest Retreat is an eco-lodge located on an Organic Spice Plantation (MOJO Plantation) nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats (in Kodagu district of southern Karnataka). Founded by Dr. Sujata, a botanist and Anurag Goel, a molecular biologist turned organic farmer, their business model is based on sharing the nuances of organic farming with the visitors apart from selling locally grown cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper and coffee. Their methods are based on the following prnciples aimed at working toward generating a sustainable agri-ecosystem in the fragile environment: | |
| * Maintaining the forest canopy to conserve the top soil and replenish it with compost. | |
| * Recycling all forms of materials generated on the farm | |
| * Creating conditions favoring the survival of other components of the farm-field(agri-) ecosystem, like the predatory and microbial populations of the soil. | |
| * Emphasizing on multiple-cropping systems | |
| * Identifying and usng non-toxic(plant) sustitutes for chemically synthesized fertilizers and pesticides only under conditions of extreme necessity. | |
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| ==Beaulah Farm== | |
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| Tucked away in a picturesque pocket of the Nilgiris in South India, Beulah Farm provides the chance visitor a rare personal treat in the state of Tamil Nadu. The place which was founded by Eapen Jacob, does not fall within the usual tourist circuit. One may stumble upon it in the course of meandering walks one usually takes in the hills. Around the cottage, what looks like a wild tangle of a garden, each shrub, plant and bush makes up the herb garden which has been lovingly nurtured and tended to by Eapen, who plays music to his plants every day! From the three different kinds of basil and four different kinds of mint, the rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. Passion fruits, Malta oranges, lemons make the fruit orchard, along with the strawberry patch. All of these go into making wines, liqueurs, tart marmalades, rhubarb jam and preserves made in a unique way in Sandalwood barrels on the farm. 23 different varieties of Rose wine (including a green and a black rose), guava squash, mint liqueur and a horse radish wine are some of his most popular products, all made in an organic way perfected over the last 25 years. In Jacob's own words, 'Not a grain of yeast or any chemical has gone into the brewing of the wines. We even make our own fertilizers and a gaggle of geese act as his pest control measure.' The liquid organic manure made from sheep and fowl droppings is high in nitrogen and perfect for all the farm produce except for strawberries as it results in extensive leaf growth. | |
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| ==Krac-Á-Dawna Organic Farm== | |
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| Founded by Juli and Vivek Cariappa, KRAC-A-DAWNA is an evolving farm nestled deep within rural Karnataka. It is an important member of the OFAI(Organic Farmers association of India) and has for long searched for practical solutions to daily problems. From home-schooling to manure-teas and bio-gas there are no fixed rules here. Ths is an interesting example in self-learning and re-learning about believing in one's instincts and defying a modern developmental process that relies too heavily on mass production and a rigid definition of “civilization”. Self-reliance figures prominently in the farms thinking and its founders take a stand on issues ranging from genetically modified seeds to alternative markets, from child education to small- farm organic certification. Nothing leaves the farm in raw form and from natural dyes and cotton to wild honey, cinnamon, pepper and sesame butter, the farm produce has become an important revenue source. Lately, the farm has started developing its expertise in Bio-dynamic farming and trains registered farmers in the same. | |
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| ==International Plants Expo, Dubai== | |
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| Held from March 04-06, 2008 IPM DUBAI ia a focussed trade exhibition for the green industries in the middle east and the Indian Subcontinent. | |
| http://www.ipm-dubai.net/ | |
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| One of the products, //nature pot// by NAPAC, a Zurich based company specialising in the development and manufacturing of products made of raw materials from renewable resources: is suitable for outdoor and indoor plant cultivation. A smart kit which comes with seeds and organic fertiliser, it rates highly on bio-innovation. | |
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| == Project Deep Fields == | |
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| An interesting proposal in the 'Green Cities and Open Ideas' category by Krishna Balakrishna from UC Berkeley and Ganesh Mohan, IIT Chennai. The study proposes to create a **Deep Fields Organic Farmers Co-operative** which connects the problem of improper garbage disposal in Indian cities to providing an impetus for organic farming in urban edges. The project stems from a desire to initiate a program that is financially viable, ecologically sustainable, and socially conscious. Further, the ideas proposed are a complete cycle of events rather than discrete units of action. | |
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| In brief the proposal consists of the following steps: | |
| 1. Utilize urban organic waste for generating compost. | |
| 2. Promote organic farming of fruits and vegetables using this compost, in villages near urban centers | |
| 3. Set up a viable model of distributing the produce to small scale retail units in the cities. | |
| 4. Set up a points system by which the citizens who contribute organic waste get discounts on their shopping at these small scale retail units. | |
| 5. Urban waste that is generated enters the above described cycle once again. | |
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| The complete report can be seen here: | |
| {{:deep_fields.pdf|}} | |
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| =="RUrbanism": The Goa 2100 Project== | |
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| http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/002477.html | |
| http://www.goa2100.org/ | |
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| "RUrbanism" is the sustainable integration of rural and urban communities. It is a sophisticated new set of design principles and practices governing land use, energy, transportation, governance, and all aspects of economic, ecological, and social development for a major city. The term "RUrbanism" was introduced by the designers of "Goa 2100," a critical breakthrough planning project for the capital city of Panjim, in the Indian state of Goa. Goa 2100 won a Special Jury Prize in the International Sustainable Urban Systems Design competition (Tokyo, 2003). The project is a model of RUrbanism in practice, and it introduces a wide array of new design concepts and analytical tools to support sustainability planning and a transition to sustainability. | |
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| The project started with Comprehensive Data-Gathering and Benchmarking and invents a great deal of new methodology. The empirical study of built form and settlement structure enabled the group to create new quantitative models, including a "Resource Security Index" for water and energy needs. When it came to the buildings themselves, the group used the design principles of Christopher Alexander (A Pattern Language) and extended them using integrated life-cycle analysis and other methods. A new set of principles for sustainable infrastructure design was developed for the static (long-lasting) and dynamic (fast-changing) elements of the city. The analysis of the entire "temporal economy" of the city and region led to a key discovery: that time should be considered as an additional resource when considering the financing of a transition. Using a time use budget, attention is brought to the fact that how people spend their time is a key element of both their quality of life, and the sustainability of a society. The Goa 2100 model appears to be the first sustainability analysis of the time-use of an entire city. | |
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| This extensive exercise in quantitative analysis and modeling was the foundation for a reimagining of the city of Panjim, following the newly framed principles of "RUrbanism." These were defined by the design team in terms of three overall goals; seven "organizing principles for sustainability"; five "strategies for land-use management"; six "tactics to manage physical stocks and flows"; and a set of descriptions for the urban form that they grouped under the heading, "A Dynamic Fractal Morphology." | |
| RUrbanism involves transforming the city into a symbiotic partner with both nature and rural culture and a net producer of resources and value, rather than a parasitic consumer. | |
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| * //comparison of the expected and the achieved results// | |
| * //suggestions and comments on the research process and its results// | |
| * //description and suggestions around the collaboration process (if applicable)// | |
| * //suggestions for the future work based on the conclusions of the research// | |
| * //comments on the response of the public (if applicable)// | |
| | |
| ==== References ==== | |
| | |
| * //literature used in the research (books, magazines, journals, URLs...)// | |
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| URLS (these should be included as footnotes for the relevant sections) | |
| * http://www.sarai.net/fellowships/associate/debkamal-ganguly | * http://www.sarai.net/fellowships/associate/debkamal-ganguly |
| * http://www.teriin.org/sector_search.php?sector=11&tp=Projects | * http://www.teriin.org/sector_search.php?sector=11&tp=Projects |
| * http://www.di.net/videos/the_new_species_architecture/ | * http://www.di.net/videos/the_new_species_architecture/ |
| * http://www.materialecology.com/ | * http://www.materialecology.com/ |
| | * http://ecotality.com/life/ |
| | |
| |
| * //media used in the research (film, audiovisual media, photographs...)// | Films |
| |
| 1. Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, the film explores the peak oil crisis with focus on community based solutions that reflect the values of cooperation, conservation and curtailment. The film captures the free fall of Cuba's economy in early 90's with the fall of the Soviet Union and its brilliant turnaround using drastic measures to become self reliant. It demonstrates the role of community in dealing with acute challenges. Every aspect of cuban life was affected by the 'special period', but no change was as far reaching as agriculture. Cuba was forced to switch to survival agriculture from the green revolution practices it was accustomed to. A drastic effort to convert every piece of arable land to organic agriculture was begin. An urban agriculture movement resulted where every vacant lot in the city was converted into an orchard. Under urban gardening, idle plots of land were identified, cleaned and turned into gardens by the community. The people cooperating and caring about each other were the main factors for the turnaround. With sustainable practices Cuba found that it took 3 to 5 years to rehabilitate the soil again. To increase food production the government worked with farmers to find local solutions. The result was smaller farms and cooperatives with a high degree of privatization and autonomy. These were able to use sustainable practices in a much more efficient manner and created new ways of decentralized growth under a larger umbrella. With a more stable method of land distribution and ownership, thousands moved to rural areas. The impact was also felt in the education, housng, transportation and energy alternatives realms resulting in improvised solutions from the people and the government which has not only created a unique model for all of us but also reinstilled faith in the power of simple steps taken at a community level. | * Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, the film explores the peak oil crisis with focus on community based solutions that reflect the values of cooperation, conservation and curtailment. The film captures the free fall of Cuba's economy in early 90's with the fall of the Soviet Union and its turnaround using drastic measures to become self reliant. It demonstrates the role of community in dealing with acute challenges. Every aspect of cuban life was affected by the 'special period', but no change was as far reaching as agriculture. Cuba was forced to switch to survival agriculture from the green revolution practices it was accustomed to. A drastic effort to convert every piece of arable land to organic agriculture was begin. An urban agriculture movement resulted where every vacant lot in the city was converted into an orchard. Under urban gardening, idle plots of land were identified, cleaned and turned into gardens by the community. The people cooperating and caring about each other were the main factors for the turnaround. With sustainable practices Cuba found that it took 3 to 5 years to rehabilitate the soil again. To increase food production the government worked with farmers to find local solutions. The result was smaller farms and cooperatives with a high degree of privatization and autonomy. These were able to use sustainable practices in a much more efficient manner and created new ways of decentralized growth under a larger umbrella. With a more stable method of land distribution and ownership, thousands moved to rural areas. The impact was also felt in the education, housing, transportation and energy alternatives realms resulting in improvised solutions from the people and the government which has not only created a unique model for all of us but also reinstilled faith in the power of simple steps taken at a community level. |
| |
| * //visual/sonic/tactile material generated in the research to be archived at [[FoAM]]// | * Bill Mollison-Global Gardener Series 1-4 |
| | * Bill Mollison-Funding the Revolution |
| | * Bill Mollison-Permaculture Design Course |
| | * Farming with Nature-A case study of successful temperate Permaculture |
| | * Permaculture- Sepp Holzer - Aquaculture-Synergy of Land and Water |
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sanjeev