Solar dryers for Himalayan farmers

The farmers of Themgaram and the neighbouring cluster of villages were helped to set up a Solar Dryer as a shared facility to dry their farm produce. These structures are portable and easy to assemble and dismantle. Similar structures are being set up by Pragya across several other Himalayan districts. These sites would also have weather resistant food storage facilities as a comprehensive measure to ensure food security for remote high altitude villages.

BARC approved filtration technology for flood-affected villages

Addressing the concerns for WASH in post-disaster scenario, Pragya is carrying out significant work in Uttarakhand, India for communities that have suffered damage to their water supply and storage systems or are currently experiencing water stress or those that are identified to be dependent on contaminated/unsafe water sources for drinking purposes. Pragya is installing BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) approved technology for filtration units comprising activated carbon and 0.01 micron membrane filter that can remove micro-biological impurities to ensure safe water for these communities. The membrane life is 3-5 years with 300 ltr/day output at 10 psi pressure.


(Photographs of Pragya's work in Immediate Relief Phase)

Innovative health surveillance system for women and infants

As a part of Pragya’s initiative to maternal and neonatal child health (read more), Women’s Care Groups (WCG) have been formed in Himalayan villages. A health & nutrition surveillance program for girls and women has been instituted through these groups. Each group uses the program to watch out for health & nutrition risk signs among the girls and women in the village, take necessary precautions or refer for timely clinical care, provide dietary guidance where required, and liaise with government facilities to access necessary supplements, for example, folic acid supplements for pregnant women.

The groups are equipped with necessary instruments, such as Aneamia detection kits (non-invasive) for haemoglobin monitoring, and trained in the surveillance system; the procedure enables a comparison against norms and ranges for BMI, blood sugar, BP, Hemoglobin, etc., set to high-altitude conditions, for adolescent girls and women. They also collect data on food intake and nutritional levels, with a focus on specific high-altitude deficiencies such as iron, vitamin A, and determine cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).

Flashflood hits Uttarakhand

At midnight 3rd August 2012, Uttarakhand was hit by torrential rain following a cloudburst in Siyari Gar and Sangam Chatti in Uttarkashi district. The resulting flashfloods and landslides caused unprecedented loss of property and life in the Garhwal region which had to bear the maximum brunt. Estimates suggests approximately 1700 families have been affected from Gangotri to Uttarkashi; in Bhatwari block itself, one of the worst affected areas, more than 25 villages have been affected including 1188 families. Several areas are inaccessible as road and bridges have been washed away, making relief operations difficult. Extensive damage has been caused to agricultural land, irrigation infrastructures, water and power supply systems, houses and community buildings and many families have lost all their belongings. Surveys and visits are being carried out in the region to get an exact estimate of the damage caused. Relief camps have been set up in several areas in Uttarkashi. (Read more) (Photographs from flood hit districts)

There is a major need of essential supplies in several areas, especially the need to communicate and provide relief to those in the still inaccessible and remote areas. Pragya is presently contributing towards this effort by gathering data in order to get a comprehensive picture of the damages caused with the aim to provide immediate relief materials to the affected in form of hygiene kits, tents, bedding, water tanks and water purification tablets, solar lanterns, food, especially baby food and toilets and for carrying out rehabilitation programs in the long term. (More about Pragya's efforts) (Photographs from the field)

Pragya India recognised as SIRO

Pragya India is now recognised as 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation' (SIRO). The Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India conferred this status to Pragya for 2013-2016. This is expected to strengthen the research & extension activities carried out by Pragya team in India.

Community Resource Centre in Humla

A Rural Library was inaugurated for a cluster of villages in Humla district. The resource centre stocked with a wide variety of learning resources for all age-groups, computers and audio-visual learning aids was heartily appreciated by the parents and children present at the event.

(Photographs from Nepal Himalayas)

Greening the flood affected catchments

The 2010 flashflood in Leh caused unprecedented loss of life and property. After relief operations, Pragya concentrated its efforts in livelihood rehabilitation. The women of Ney, Nang, Umla, Chaksa, Hanu Yogma, Igoolankur, Taru, Stambardo villages under guidance of Pragya’s Thematic Specialists have been working towards rebuilding their lives. Ms. Sonam Yandol, Ms. Dechen Dolma and others have reclaimed over 7 acres of land to set up fodder farms and woodlots in their villages. The early gains have been visible within just 5 months, reducing the physical stress on women. An inspired Ms. Yangdol announces, “next year we will double the area under fodder farm”. Such endeavors have benefited around 200 households in Leh so far.