CSR & You: Protect, Preserve & Nurture the Nilgiris
The Nilgiris, Kadanadu, Tamil Nadu, India
Project by: One Earth Foundation
CATEGORY: Eligible CSR activity under Companies Act 2013, Schedule VII item (v) covers the “protection of national heritage, art and culture… ”
Funding Required: INR 4 Lacs (minimum) – INR 19 Lacs (First year)
The Organization:
One Earth Foundation is a registered trust engaged in community service and ecological action projects with a geographic focus on the breathtaking Nilgiris region of South India. The Foundation’s initiatives are in the key sectors of education, health, traditional wisdom preservation, environment and supporting special needs children – orphans, destitute & leprosy, family backgrounds and with disabilities. The primary target groups are the children of this hill region’s tribal & indigenous communities and marginalized families.
Number of years in operation: 14 years
The UNIQUE Concept: Protecting a UNESCO recognized Biosphere Reserve & it’s Indigenous People
India is home to immense natural and cultural wealth. 23% of our land is covered with forests which harbor immense biodiversity and we have the largest population of tribal communities in the world. These communities have preserved knowledge in various forms for millennia. There is urgent need to create awareness about, conserve and preserve this natural wealth and cultural heritage of our country. The region of Nilgiris (Blue Mountains) is unique in that it has among the highest forest covers in the country, was recognized as the very first Biosphere Reserve in India by UNESCO and is home to 6 Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG’s). This ecologically and culturally sensitive region is seriously threatened by unplanned development, rising urban sprawl, conversion of land to plantations and most of all by the 2.5 Mil plus tourists that visit this region annually. One Earth Foundation’s projects and initiatives are largely focused on:
- Preservation of Traditional wisdom: Arts & Crafts
- Preservation of Tribal Knowledge: Ethno-botanical medicine
- Health for Remote Communities: Clean water for all
- Clean Forests Campaign
- Eco Clubs: Plastic free villages
- Educare: Education support for children from marginalized tribal & indigenous community families
- Umeed: Children’s Homes
- Enviro Trips: Connecting urban students with nature
The Proposal for Funding:
One Earth Foundation seeks support for their project: Arts & Crafts Revival in the Nilgiris. There are 6 PTG’s residing in the Nilgiri hills (Todas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Kotas, Paniyans and Kottanayakans) and 4 of these are only found in this region. These tribes practice various unique and exquisite traditional arts and crafts. Most of these arts & crafts are rapidly disappearing and there is an urgent need to create awareness about them, document & research and take action to revive them.
Project Implementation:
The project will be executed in 2 phases. In phase I, the efforts will be to revive the Kurumbas Tribal art form through various activities as mentioned below. In phase II, the efforts will be extended to set up a Tribal Arts & Crafts Centre – Nilgiris and extend the revival programs to cover other arts & crafts of the primitive tribal groups (PTG’s) of Nilgiris.
Profile of the Beneficiaries:
- Children (6-16 years) of the Primitive Kurumbas tribe and indigenous communities in the hill district of Nilgiris.
- Last few remaining artists will benefit as the project will provide them with meaningful livelihood opportunities.
- The 2.l5 Mil tourists to Nilgiris will benefit from learning about this traditional art form.
- Art lovers
Duration of Project:
Funding support needed for initial 3 years. Subsequently, the project aims to be self sustaining.
Project Action Plan:
Phase I
- Kurumbas Art Awareness Programs (KAAP) in Panchayat schools across Nilgiris.
- Kurumbas Art Workshops (KAW) held at Kurumbas hamlets encouraging tribal children to learn the art form.
- A structured training program to be initiated.
Phase II
- Set up of Tribal Arts & Crafts Center – Nilgiris.
- Artisans Mart Initiative (AMI). Exhibitions and online sales of Tribal art and art embellished products.
- Awareness & revival activities extended to arts & crafts of other tribes.
Project Cost:
Initial project cost and first year expenses are provided below. Additionally, this project has revenue generation possibilities and that has not been projected as of now as that is estimated to come into play Year 2 onwards.
| YEAR 1 BUDGET, in INR | |||||
| Expense | Qtr 1 | Qtr 2 | Qtr 3 | Qtr 4 | Total |
| Premises Deposit | 1,50,000 | 1,50,000 | |||
| Rental | 60,000 | 60,000 | 1,20,000 | ||
| Leasehold Improvement | 2,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 3,00,000 | ||
| Audio Visual Facility | 2,00,000 | 2,00,000 | |||
| Resource Facility | 1,50,000 | 1,50,000 | |||
| Staff Salary | 40,000 | 80,000 | 1,20,000 | 1,50,000 | 3,90,000 |
| Utilities | 30,000 | 30,000 | 60,000 | ||
| Project Consumables | 45,000 | 45,000 | 75,000 | 1,00,000 | 2,65,000 |
| Local travel | 30,000 | 30,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 1,60,000 |
| Stationary,Comm, etc | 15,000 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | 90,000 |
| TOTAL | 1,30,000 | 1,70,000 | 7,15,000 | 8,70,000 | 18,85,000 |
Min Threshold:
A minimum initial funding of INR 4 Lacs is required to get this project off the ground.
Revenue (If any):
If project under CSR – Credited back to Organization’s CSR account.
If Funded by individuals or a consortium: TBC
Freq. Project Grant: Quarterly
Progress Reporting: Quarterly
Impact Assessment: Annual
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