Communities We Work With
Local people. Local Skills. Locally Sourced materials
Creating livelihood opportunities that are local in their form, source and relevance has always been at the centre of Avani’s grassroots interventions in the Kumaon Himalayas. The unique topography of this mountainous region did not come without its challenges, but the determination of Avani’s passionate team has kept the projects roused with energy and effectiveness at all times. Through dedicated efforts towards skill based training, Avani focuses on the capacity building of rural communities to enable them to access supplementary incomes through Avani’s programs based on craft revival, technology and primary education.
Avani’s bioenergy program has remained responsive to the environmental needs of this region, while bringing top of the line technological knowhow to these remote regions. It kickstarted with the introduction of solar lights in villages that had no access to electricity and presently is involved in harnessing the energy of pine needles through the operation of pine needle gasifiers in different locations.
In its early days Avani’s engagement was focused within the Shauka and Bora communities. Avani’s textile program focused on weaving, handspinning and natural dyeing, in fact draws its inspiration from the traditional skills of these communities.
The Shaukas, also known as Bhotiya or Bhot, are groups of ethno-linguistically related Tibetan people living in the Trans-Himalayan region that divides India from Tibet, who in earlier times moved between borderlands of India and Tibet for purposes of trade. The Shaukas traditionally worked with Tibetan sheep wool and are well known for making Thulma (traditional throw) and Chutkas (traditional knotted carpet) that grace the living rooms of most village homes.
The Boras on the other hand are a resident community also found within the regions of Pithoragarh and Bageshwar in Uttarakhand. Primarily farmers, this community however also works with the hemp fibre to create farming accessories such as kuthla (gunny bags for storing grains) and budla (multipurpose fabrics used as rugs or to tie bundles of grass and hay). Even today, more than 63% of Avani’s artisans belong to the Bora community who now work primarily with wool fibre.
Despite the different fibres these two communities work with, both communities share a proficiency in the crafts of spinning and weaving. Avani’s foray into creating environmentally friendly textiles tapped into the traditions, creativity and skills of the communities with the formation of the Kumaon Earthcraft Self-Reliant Cooperative (Earthcraft Cooperative) in 2005.
Through its various initiatives, Avani has successfully provided a source of supplementary income to many families while simultaneously regenerating forest resources and reviving traditional crafts. Though both men and women are involved in the activities of Avani, 78% of the participants in this program are women.
Apart from its main centre in Tripuradevi village, Avani maintains an engagement in over 60 villages through four village based centres that are focal points of its interventions and activities in the villages neighbouring these centres.