HEALTH
(i) Traditional Health Practitioners: There are more than three lakh genuinely self-less traditional healers in India who are ignored, and neglected by health service providers, notwithstanding their recognition by National Health Mission, Government of India. It is because scientific documentation, validation and standardization of their knowledge based on medicinal plants, animal and mineral components, is yet to be systematically done by Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. We have more than 3000 varieties of life saving medicinal plants, a large number of which have been listed as endangered or extinct. As a result valuable knowledge base is getting eroded and will be gradually lost. Tapobhoomi Trust has offered a conducive atmosphere particularly in Malkangiri District to Traditional Health Practitioners who are ready to share and update their technical knowhow. The Trust has been doing tangible work in documentation, codification and research of Tradiitonal Health Knowledge. Lokgyanpeeth works to take health from market to service and ultimately to commoners’ praxis.
(ii) Retired and existing headmasters and teachers which are 50+ years of age have been organizing anti-addiction awakening programmes every weekend in Schools and Colleges of Puri. Tapobhoomi Trust is backing this pious campaign.
BIODIVERSITY
(i) In 1991-92, the Tapobhoomi group led fisher folk against MNC encroachment on their territory and against industrial prawn cultivation in Chilika lake with amazing results: The Ministry of Environment & Forest Government of India and the High Court of Orissa High gave direction to stop prawn cultivation in Chilika. This meant the protection of the biodiversity of Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia and security of life and livelihood of 1.6 million fisherfolk and peasants in 632 villages. Recognized as one of the shortest successful people’s movement in the world, 26 PhDs have been done on it and London’s Pluto Publication has brought out a book on it, ‘Notes from Another India’ authored by Jeremy Seabrook.
WATER
(i) In 1996-97, identifying the lack of irrigation as a major impediment in the progress of Odisha’s agro-based economy, Tapobhoomi launched a state-wide process for constructive and resistive actions. The objective was to make irrigation & drinking water a state issue. The Trust succeeded: 50,000 bore wells were dug under the Lokmandal initiatives and 10,000 small check dams were constructed by Government under the Ganga Kalyan Yojna. 1.6 million families have benefitted by these.
(ii) In the aftermath of the Orissa Cyclone in 1999, Lokamandal interventions in Dhamnagar block of Bhadrak district and Dasrathpur block of Jajpur district changed the living standards of 40,000 families. By mobilizing people living on both sides of the Baitarani river an earthen dam was constructed without any financial support resulting in the creation of a 12 km long reservoir capable of irrigating 24000 acres of cultivable land enabling peasants to cultivate vegetable and consequently reducing distress migration.
(iii) Guided by Tapobhoomi, the tribal of Thakurmunda block dug a canal of 8 km long to irrigate 1500 acres of land. This is an 11 years community endeavor with no outside funding.
GRASSROOT EMPOWERMENT
(i) In Rayagada district, through the efforts of grassroots activists mentored by Tapobhoomi’s Vana Vidyalaya, participatory governance structures and stakeholdership were the new anchors driving the campaign. More than 5,000 women were directly interfacing with the administration to end the menace of illicit liquor in their region. Their resolve was evident in the fact that even the push backs from liquor mafia in the region had not been able to derail their legitimate demand.
Tapobhoomi Trust and women prepared themselves for intellectual clarity and held a conference on 9 March. The theme was ‘Social Application of Religion and Spirituality’ where 2000+ women and youth of 13 panchayats of 4 blocks participated. There were quality discussions on Dharma, Adhyatma, Aacharan shuddhi, Village development, Gram Sabha, Village autonomy etc. It was all through a dialogue, discussion and collective decision making process for forthcoming actions for Truth, Justice and Righteousness. At least 10,000 persons have directly or indirectly been part of this people’s education process.
(ii) Educational camp of Panchayti Raj Institution (PRI) members and youth of Baisingh Gram Panchayat (GP), Rayagada was organised at Tapobhoomi Ashram, Bhubaneswar in Jun 2023. The goal was to make Baisingh as a Model Gram Panchayat through a learning process of human rights, forest rights, development plan for the Panchayat, recognising and addressing health issues. It was resolved to start three months course for selfless volunteers about self sustenance, life and livelihood skills, courageous community actions for cooperative and resistive approach towards district administration. Sessions were held on PESA Act, Autonomous Panchayat management and development plan, behavioural change, medicinal plants promotion in the forest area, forest management, kitchen garden for nutrition, transaction on Minor forest products, and use of Forest rights act for development of the G.P., land management, and Government acts related to land, forest and water.