Avani – Caring for the Earth

Creating Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities in the Kumaon Himalayas.

Rooted in Tradition, Connected
to the Earth

Who We Are

Nestled in the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, Avani is a non profit, community based organisation built on the principles of sustainability. Avani works with creation of livelihood opportunities for rural communities through the revival of traditional craft, appropriate technology, & farm-based interventions with economy, ecology and empowerment at its core.

Campus

Avani’s campus at Tripuradevi, strives to create stress-free, harmonious living conditions which have a symbiotic relationship with our natural surroundings. Community activities include shramdaan, where the team works on the farm, help out in the community kitchen and regular sessions in meditation. These activities foster a sense of community, and help the team practise mindfulness throughout the day.

The campus itself is part of a closed loop system of water and organic waste. Avani is dependent upon rainwater in this already water-stressed area. 100% of the wastewater is recycled and used to grow vegetables and dye plants. The use of parabolic solar cooker and pine needle charcoal in the kitchen has helped save costs of conventional fuel. We are self-sufficient in electricity generation through solar energy and pine needle gasification.

Programmes

Textile & Natural Dye Program

Avani’s revival of traditional skills of hand spinning and hand weaving through production of handmade textiles and plant based dyes has been consolidated under the Earthcraft Cooperative. Earthcraft is an artisans’ and farmers’ cooperative which generates livelihoods, for vulnerable women and girls, in Kumaon.

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Bio Energy Program

The bioenergy program is at the centre of a complex ecological, social and mechanical process.The program focuses on the promotion of clean energy technologies in the local villages including solar energy for rural electrification, use of charcoal as a clean cooking fuel for rural households and the harnessing of energy from pine needles to generate electricity.

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Primary Education Program

Led under the name Abhivyakti, a school that was established in 2011, Avani’s primary education program blends Montessori and Steiner principles of education to bring innovative learning and teaching methods to this remote Himalayan community, nurturing and developing a new generation of creative minds.

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What's New?

Celebrating 25 years and an Award

Avani completed 25 years since its foundation on November 30. The day was well celebrated with song, dance, awards, a large gathering of the local community and a sumptuous Kumaoni meal.

Marking the celebration is also the news of Rashmi Bharti receiving the very prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Avani’s path breaking work with demystifying science and technology for the communities in the Kumaon.

Artisan in focus

Harish Ram

Harish Ram, fondly known as Hari bubu (grandfather) has been working with Avani for the last ten years. Having spent the majority of his teenage and youth in the cities of Mumbai and Bangalore working with machinery in factories, Hari bubu decided to eventually return to his home in the mountains and joined Avani in 2014.
At Avani Hari bubu continues to work with machines and packaging in the Textile and Natural Dye program at our Tripuradevi centre. He has visited other parts of India to learn about the working of different types of machinery that he has then helped incorporate into Avani’s natural dye and textile production cycles.
Life may not have been the easiest for Hari bubu, having had to earn for the family since the age of 14. But he has no regrets and says that all of life’s experiences have left him more knowledgeable and with a willingness to take on all types of work. What he is proudest about is his oldest daughter who is a science teacher in Bangalore.

Product of the month

Sheep wool Jackets

With winters and weddings in the air, look smart and feel warm with our range of sheep wool jackets for both men and women.

Certifications

Our natural dyes and organic soap nut powder (detergent) have been officially certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 7.0 and Eco Dye Standard (EDS) Version 1.0. Approved as inputs for use in the processing of GOTS-certified textile products, they meet the stringent requirements for textile printing and dyeing, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainable and organic practices.