Govardhan Eco Village

Govardhan Eco Village

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  Author : Staff Email: contactus@ecovillage.org.in Date Produced : July 30, 2010 Editor : Sriman Rasmandal Das Serial No. : 39 of 54 GOVARDHAN ECO VILLAGE
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  Purpose of GEV Thepurpose behind this Govardhan eco-village is two fold 1. To present a sustainable community model 2. To educate people in the field of traditional sciences including Yoga, spirituality, Cow Protection & Ayurveda.
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  6th purpose ofISKCON To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life. - Srila Prabhupada
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  Pure Eco-friendly “The product,service, oractivity does not adversely affect the environment, does not consume any non-renewable resources, and creates nowaste or emissions, and does notharm any living beings (excluding most plants as these arerenewable). This would bethe purist form of eco friendly and there are veryfew items that can be placedunder this banner.”
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  Practically Eco-friendly “The product,service or activity, could represent a reduction in consumption of non-renewable resources, and/orcreates reducedemissions, and/or produces less harmtoliving beings than the norm oracceptedaverage.Whilst this is not pure, this represents a "step in the right direction" or a "change for the better””
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  Vision of GEV “Livingin harmony and according to way Krishna wants us to live on material level and spiritual level. Living in respect for mother earth, who is Bhoomi devi, who is the consort of Varaha Dev, who is Lakshmi herself and honoring her and living in ways which replenish her resources rather than exploit her resources and then utilize what ever resources she gives us by her grace for the service of Lord Vishnu. So that’s our understanding of eco friendly.” - HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
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  FACT (Facility for Alternative Construction Technologies) Activitiesof Govardhan Eco Village Rural Education
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  Need for OrganicFarming • For sustaining the fertility of the soil • Keeping the agriculture produce non-toxic • Chemical based fertilizers & pesticides  toxic crops & harmful for health • Genetically modified seeds  greater yield, reduction in fertility. • Oxen for ploughing  save them from being slaughtered.
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  Agriculture Produce • FruitsProduced: Bannana, Mango, Chikoo, Papaya, Jackfruit, Guava • Rice Varieties produced: Garvi (more water)type - Zini, Govind Bhog, Kolapi, Siddhagiri, Pusasugandha, Blackbuma, Telosingh,Kalagira, Old kolam. Halvar(less water) type – Padama, Dangi • Cereals Produced: Tuar, Moong, Channa • Flowers Produced: Jasmine, Marigold, lily, lotus, rose
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  Vegetables produced: Ambadi, Ladiesfinger,Pumpkin, Beetroot, Broccoli, Chakota, Brinjal, Chawli, Bottle gourd, Corriander, CauliFlower, Carrot, Gavar, Ghevada, Gholsabji, Gilka, Hirvamath, Harbhara Bhaji, Ginger, Bitter gourd, Cabbage, Kakdi, Karanda, Khursani, Lalmath, Methi, Green Chilies, Corn, Dry Chilies, Muli, Navalkol, Parval, Papdi, Papaya, Rajgira, Shepu, Turai, Tinda, Tomato, Tondli, Alupane, Val
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  Traditional means ofagriculture • Indigenous variety of seeds, instead of genetically modified varieties. • Cow dung manures & vermicomposts instead of chemical based fertilizers • Cow urine & neem based pest repellants instead of chemical based pesticides • Oxen instead of tractors.
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  Organic Farming practices •Crop rotation • Composting • Organic fertilizers & Pesticides • Permanent raised beds • Companion planting • Mulching • Drip and sprinkler irrigation
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  Research & Training •Seminars for educating the local villagers. • Lunar cycle based vegetable production • Pest control using Cow urine and plant extracts
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  Research & Training •Vedic rainfall prediction techniques • Rainfall a local phenomenon and cant be generalized over wide geographical area • Modern prediction systems have failed time and again • Vedic rainfall prediction based on observing symptoms in nature
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  Research & Training •Protection of indigenous rice varieties • Planted 54 rare varieties of rice to protect them • Currently creating a seed bank for free distribution to farmers • Reserching on Ideal organic farming practices for rural india
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  ORGANIC FARMING • Educationaland training programmes in the nearby villages • Creating awareness on the improved farm production technologies focused on organic farming. • Plan to establish demonstrative units
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  A Holistic DevelopmentProgramme for Rural & Tribal communities in Wada Block of Thane District (GEV’s project in collaboration with BAIF) •Food Security and Poverty Alleviation •Improving the health status of the community •Increasing the asset base of the tribals •Empowerment of women
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  A Holistic DevelopmentProgramme for Rural & Tribal communities in Wada Block of Thane District (GEV’s project in collaboration with BAIF)
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  Sustainable Model • Involvingthe tribals themselves in the development process, their human, material, social and financial assets. • Introducing and implementing various eco-friendly income generation activities, mainly land and livestock based.
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  The program • Helpingthe tribals establish one-acre horticulture plantation to provide long term sustainable income. • Improving the agriculture practices by providing improved technology for the main crops and introduction of vegetable and cash crops. • Emphasis on women empowerment • Various self-help groups will be started focusing on active participation in land development activities, raising forestry plants in the nursery, fruit plants cultivation, kitchen gardens etc. • To improve sanitation and hygiene through improved techniques for disposal of solid and liquid wastes.
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  Goshala Today practicallyno oneis making thisdistinction.We aremaking it, andwe haveintroduced theseideas by establishingfarm communities andprotecting our cows. And ourcows arewinningawardsfor giving themost milk, because theyare so jubilant.Theyknow, "Thesepeople willnotkill me." They knowit, so theyareveryhappy. Nor do we kill theircalves. Atotherfarms, soon afterthecow gives birthto acalf, theypull hercalf awayfor slaughter.You see? This means society has no brain.You may createhundredsof organizations,butsociety will never be happy. Thatis theverdict.” (BTG, 1985, SrilaPrabhupada Speaks Out, Advice to the United Nations)
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  • Started in2003 with 9 cows & bulls • Currently 62, expected to reach 100 in next few years. • Planning for new Goshala with rope free zones, fresh water, special calf care etc.
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  3 breeds • Tharparkar, •Gir • Dangi
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  Cow protection isabout expressing our gratitude for the wonderful gifts that cows have given to human society.
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  The purpose ofGoshala is to demonstrate the principle of cow protection and how their blessings can be suitably utilized in our day to day life.
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  • Bulls engagedin • Ploughing • Oil mill • Flour mill • Transportation within GEV • Animal Driven Prime Mover
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  • Milk fromthe cows meets the daily requirement of milk for the community. • Cow dung used for Biogas plant, manure & cottage industry
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  Alternative energy sources • BiogasPlant • Solar • ADPM • Firewood
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  Bio-gas Plant  Manybio-degradable wastes can be used apart from cow dung.  Slurry acts as good organic manure in a readily dispensable form.  Biogas (mainly CH4) can be used for any thermal applications like cooking and electricity generation.  Currently, GEV has a 30 m3 floating dome and a 6 m3 fixed dome biogas plants with plans for future expansion. A 15 KVA generator runs entirely on biogas. www.ecovillage.org.in
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  Animal Driven PrimeMover  2 bulls rotate a lever connected to a positive displacement pump through a gear, chain & pulley system  Discharge – 7000-8000 liters/hour at 60 ft depth (equivalent to 5hp pump)  Operated for more than 12 hrs a day with multiple bull pairs
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  Firewood  Biogas forCooking  Fuel Efficient and Smokeless Firewood Stoves (Chulhas) www.ecovillage.org.in
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  Solar  Solar Thermal Solar Photo Voltaic www.ecovillage.org.in
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  GRIHA Govardhan Research Institute ofHousing Alternatives
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   Built withlocally available materials  Extraordinary comfort even in harsh climates  Close connection to earth with calming & healing effects www.ecovillage.org.in Traditional Buildings  Built with highly processed natural materials  Release toxic substances into our homes  Damages the environment  Tend to isolate us from nature Modern Buildings
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  Made from earththat is ‘rammed’ or packed between forms. A little moistened clay-rich subsoil is shoveled into the forms, tamped by hand or pneumatic tamper. Walls are often left unplastered and look beautiful. www.ecovillage.org.in Rammed Earth  Rammed earth  Cob  Compressed Stabilized Earth blocks Types of Earthen Homes @ GEV
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   Cob isa mix of clay-rich dirt, sand & straw. The material is applied often in loaf-shapes to the foundation and wall directly by hand or by shovelful. When cob dries, it becomes hard like sand stone.  Works for many climates.  Time-tested building technique –1000s of cob homes are still occupied after 500-700 yrs. www.ecovillage.org.in COB House
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   Made atGEV by mixture of soil, quarry dust and lime. Only 5-10% cement used.  Mixture poured in a die and hand pressed in a machine  After 3 weeks of curing load bearing capacity increases to 60 Kg/sq cm.  Bricks are laid on the foundation and the binding agent is also similar to the brick mixture. www.ecovillage.org.in Compressed Stabilized Earth blocks
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  Rural Education
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  Educaion Gurukulforchildren&VarnasramaCollege. Thepurpose toestablish atraining collegefor Brahmacharis and Congregation devotees becomesa must if we want devotees to work according to their varna(inclinations) and acquirerelevant skills to becomeeconomically stable so as to focus on self. It is also required when the student graduates from the Gurukul. More so,if education has to bean ongoing orlifelong quest then, a dedicated facility will definitely helptofacilitate these inspirations.
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  • LNHO startedin1905 in Mumbai to give shelter to the famine afflicted children. ISKCON invited to operate in ‘80s • LNHO shifted to GEV in 2005 • Steady efforts to provide excellent quality training & education, along with imparting spiritual values to many rural children from economically underpriviliged families.
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   Vocational training Personal counseling  Spoken English classes  Value education  Spiritual tours  Yoga classes Home Schooling @ LNHO
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  GEV took initiativefor creating a positive change in the lifestyle and the state of affairs of rural communities by providing them • Sustainable livelihood • Improving available natural resources • Healthcare, sanitation, education & training etc.
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  HEALTH CARE • BhaktiVedantaHospital is providing effective healthcare to rural population throughout Thane district with special focus on tribal areas in Wada & Palghar.
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  Result • These activities haveled to appreciate devotees and thus help create goodwill among the local villagers.
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   Cottage industryrun by Women • Khakara making • Paper bags making • Bamboo products • Handicrafts  Empowering Tribal women  Wadis (integrated farming system comprising of horticulture, agriculture & dairy).  Self Help Groups (SHGs)  Training and exposure visits. Women Empowerment
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  “Make the farmthe center and go ten miles this side, ten miles that side, ten miles this side, etc., with four bullock carts. Sell books and preach and live peacefully at the farm.”
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  To fulfill thedesire of Srila Prabhupada, Rural Preaching at GEV is flourishing in 15 villages over past 4 years. Villages Ambisate Dighase Awla Dabhad Galtare AundaMohilee Danor Asnoli Jambivilli Rautpada
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  Future plan: Tomake a new temple complex built by sustainable materials and eco-friendly technologies. New Temple Construction
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  Govardhan Eco Village– A place of Pilgrimage • Govardhan with the parikrama of the different places of Govinda Kunda, Radha Kunda, Shyama Kunda, etc. • Barsana, Nandagram • A place where we could actually get away from the passionate ugrakarma lifestyle of city and be in Vrindavan. • A place of pilgrimage to heal the body, mind and soul.
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  Govardhan Ashram –A place of pilgrimage • To recreate the the spirit of Virndavan. • Balaram with oxen & plough, Krsna with cows. • To develop replicas of the 12 forests of Vrindavan. • Walkways, Auscpicious trees • Diaromas of pastimes of Krsna
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  Govardhan Eco Village– Contact Address: Guhir Road, Galtare Village, Wada (Taluka), Palghar, Maharashtra 421303, India Phone: +91 91672 04666 Hours: Open Daily · 8AM–6PM www.ecovillage.org.in