This is a presentation I made in 2016 when Jawhar Ecology Centre was conceptualized. Funding support in 2021 from Nisarg Foundation has enabled the project to take off. Please do get in touch for latest updates and funding support since this presentation shares information from 2016.

1. Jawhar
Eco restoration for a stressed
landscape
17.10.2016
Jawhar Ecology Centre

2. Introdution
• Proposed eco restoration project in Jawhar and
Mokhada Tehsil of Palghar District can be carried
out in partnership between Jawhar Ecology Centre
and Pragati Pratishthan.
• Pragati Pratishtan being renowned for its
development work in in the area in past 30 years.

3. This is the state of the landscape in
Jawhar Mokhada District about 150
kms from Mumbai. Heavily
deforested hills and a parched soil
outside of the monsoon months.

6. • Where the forests are protected the land is covered
with trees and presents a beautiful sight.
• But as the protected area boundary ceases the land
becomes denuded and barren

11. Three factors contribute to severe stress on the
landscape and ecology of Jawhar and Mokhada Tehsil
in Palghar District.

12. Raab as a farming practice
Fire wood collection
Livestock grazing

13. What is Raab?
• Raab is a farming practice followed in the area. In
the pre monsoon months of April and May foliage
from trees is cut and spread to dry on paddy fields,
which will be used for cultivation in the ensuing
monsoon.
• The foliage once dry is burnt.
• This is done to burn undergrowth weeds and their
seeds.
• The practice leaves trees completely denuded of
their foliage adding to reduced forest cover.

14. Lopping

15. Spreading of foliage on the farm

16. Burning

17. Turn around plan
1. Use of Soil Solarization Technique instead of Raab
2. Fodder Program
3. Alternative Fuels Program
4. Afforestation Program

18. Soil Solarization Technique
Soil solarization is an environmentally friendly method of
using solar power for controlling pests such as soilborne plant
pathogens including fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and insect and
mite pests along with weed seed and seedlings in the soil
by mulching the soil and covering it with tarp, usually with a
transparent polyethylene cover, to trap solar energy.
It may also describe methods of decontaminating soil using sunlight
or solar power. This energy causes physical, chemical, and biological
changes in the soil.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_solarization

19. http://www.thealternative.in/business/rooting-for-change-bringing-soil-solarization-to-rural-
agriculture/

20. Fodder program
• Select a target area based on village surveys and willingness
to participate.
• Assess the livestock numbers in the target area
• Assess year long fodder requirements.
• Select appropriate fodder grasses to be cultivated.
• Establish pilot fodder growing pastures, free of grazing.
• Create feeding stalls or grazing areas.

24. http://agrifarming.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Barley-Green-Fodder-in-
Hydroponics-1.jpg

25. Alternate Fuels Program
• Undertake survey in pilot hamlet to understand daily
firewood requirement and the various energy needs of the
households.
• Understand the viability of alternate fuel sources like LPG,
biogas, induction cooking on electricity etc.
• In the interim work on improved choolah efficiency.

26. Plan
• Establish a dedicated staff member for carrying out the
surveys and conversations with the target group consisting
of tribal families.
• Invite experts to carry out various surveys of the landscape -
botanical, soil, geology, fodder grasses etc.
• Establish a nursery of indigenous forest saplings.
• Work on forwarding surveys for pilots in all three categories

31. Photo: R Ravindran
Image source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/induction-stove-sales-heat-up-in-city/article4017271.ece

33. Key goals
• Over three years plant 10,000 trees and shrubs of
indigenous variety, which have multiple benefits.
• Set reduction targets for firewood consumption
• Setup fodder stall feeding for about 1000 cattle
• Divert at least 100 acres of paddy cultivation away
from Raab

34. Benefits from the project
• Helps control deforestation. Revives forests.
• Supports climate change mitigation efforts locally
and globally.
• Creates employment for graduates from social and
environmental sciences.
• Creates local employment for tribals.
• Supports innovation
• Enhances watershed

35. Better forests would
contribute to more water in
the rivers

37. Times of
India
31.10.2016

38. …the Paris Agreement
mandates all countries to
take action to minimise
the impact of climate
change.

39. Sunandatai Patwardhan in the
picture. Rishi Aggarwal in the blue
check shirt and cap. (April 2015)

40. Funding sources
• CSR budgets of companies
• Individual donations sponsoring trees.
• Support from Foundations
In the interim the project can be started with student
interns

41. Thank you
rishiagg@gmail.com