Environmental Conservation in India

Environmental Conservation Volunteering in India

The Eco-development Project is a program funded by Projects Abroad, aimed at promoting sustainable farming and environmental conservation in and around South Indian villages.

Until recently, people in rural Tamil Nadu lived much the same way as their ancestors - farming the land with simple tools, collecting firewood from the forests and discarding their waste on any available land.

In the past this hadn’t caused any great problems, but damage to the natural surroundings is now occurring because of the rapidly increasing population, the introduction of environmentally-damaging products (like plastics and chemical pesticides), and greater levels of trade demanding higher productivity. These changes – coupled with a lack of education and awareness of the problems – mean that farming in India is suffering considerably.

The Eco-development Project began in 2001 as a tree-planting exercise in a remote village at the foot of the Western Ghat Mountains. The project has expanded to include the promotion of many environmentally-friendly farming practices and environmental education initiatives.

"You can expect the occasional blister as much of the work will require you to get your hands dirty, but you really feel like you are contributing to something worthwhile - there's lots of scope for you to bring your own ideas to the program."Lindsey Pope - Eco-development Volunteer

The Model Farm: Sustainable Development and Organic Agriculture

Compost pile

At the heart of the Eco-Development Project is the Green Village Model Farm, a demonstration site for many of the sustainable practices that we promote as part of our environmental development goals.

Volunteers are totally responsible for the running and maintenance of the Green Village Model Farm site. Volunteers learn all about sustainable development and organic practices, including how to produce vermi-compost, a natural fertilizer produced from domestic and farm waste, made using earthworms. Villagers from the surrounding area visit the farm to learn about the different techniques and technologies that can benefit them. After working with villagers at the farm, our volunteers then assist them in implementing the ideas in their communities, such as introducing vermi-compost use at their farms. One local banana farmer has maintained his productivity in his first year of using our organic methods without the expense of fertilizers and pesticides.

Once every two weeks volunteers visit local markets to promote the idea of sustainable farming to local farmers. Environmental education programs are also conducted in local schools and orphanages promoting awareness of environmental and conservation issues. Visits to the farm by children and local farmers are encouraged and take place on a regular basis. We also visit local farms and education centers to promote environmental awareness as well as giving hands-on help.

There is also a large medicinal plants nursery where you can help to cultivate indigenous species that are used to treat a variety of common ailments. We are increasing the number of botanical species and introducing other endangered plants to the collection. We work closely with a local ayurvedic center and are looking to supply them with herbs in time.

The acquisition and recording of relevant information is an integral part of work at the Model Farm. You'll learn about the medicinal properties of plants and you'll use our manufacturing equipment, producing medicines that are distributed throughout the local community.

Volunteers also work in our bird and poultry unit which allows us to produce chicks and eggs, and in our small sustainable dairy unit.

“My month at the Model Farm flew by far too quickly. It was a wonderful place; everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Life there was simple, but people seemed to be happy and contented. The volunteer work was fascinating and varied, and during the month I felt that I learned a lot, as well as made a positive impact. This was a great project, and a real example of sustainable development.”Vicky Ridley - Eco-Development volunteer

As a Conservation volunteer in Tamil Nadu, you might spend time planting and looking after trees. We are replanting areas that have suffered deforestation in the past, using species carefully chosen to provide benefit to local communities. We plant trees alongside the roadsides as well as in the villages near the farm. We also go trekking into more remote forests in the Kombaipatty Hills which have suffered deforestation and plant native species using seed balls.

If you have a dissertation or research project you are interested in carrying out while on the project, the farm makes for a great resource and we will help you how we can. In the past volunteers have worked on water projects as well as environmental awareness campaigns.

Volunteering on the India Conservation Project

Trip to CCD

Volunteers usually rise early in the morning and work before the mid-day heat sets in, then work again in the afternoons from about 2:30pm to 4.30pm. You'll live with other volunteers in the village of Chinnupatti, where you'll also return to eat lunch each day.

Our Projects Abroad placement supervisor, Raisa, is based at the Model Farm full time and will train you in the different work and techniques when you first arrive. He’s always available to offer help and advice.

In the evenings you can play cricket with local children, or take time to relax after a hard day’s work. On weekends you can meet up with the other volunteers based in India on our twice-monthly social events, or travel and explore the area with new Indian friends or some of the other volunteers on the project.

상기 프로젝트는 한달 이내 참가가 가능한 프로그램입니다. 한달 이내 프로그램은 자원봉사자나 지역사회 모두에게 짧은 기간이지만 적합한 활동으로 현지 스텝들이 판단한 프로그램입니다. 다만 짧은 기간 참여를 통해 지역사회에서 열정적으로 활동하면서 가치있는 문화적 식견을 얻을 수 있긴 하지만 긴 기간동안 자원봉사 활동에 참여하는 친구들과 지역사회에 똑같은 영향을 줄 수는 없다는 점은 고려하세요.