Barli Development Institute for Rural Women celebrates World Environment Day 2008

Barli Development Institute for Rural Women observed the World Environment Day 2008 by concluding a three day training workshop for 81 young rural and tribal girls and women from 44 villages in Dewas, Dhar, Jhabua, Khargone, Badwani and Indore districts of Madhya Pradesh
The theme of the workshop: "Reducing Carbon by Changing Habits.”Janak McGilligan Institutes Director in her welcome note shared UNEP’s message to follow the 12 steps to kick the Co2 habit, and to work towards a low carbon economy.
Dr.Prabhakar Pandit organic farming researcher and writer, was the chief guest and Dr. Arun Dike the agricultural scientist presided over this function. Prabhakar Pandit said that he was deeply impressed with the sustainable model of Barli Institute training of grass-root young women who are the real managers of environment in the villages
Dr. Arun Dike highlighted the urgent need to switch over to organic farming and address all the issues relating to carbon reduction. He said he was fascinated with the briquetting, initiative of Barli Institute as one of the most practical, simple and inexpensive solution to reduce carbon.

Miss Pooja Rathore from Khargone spoke about the saving water and reuse of water and she will now always reuse the water after cleaning and mopping in the garden.
Miss Maya from Dewas said that now she understands the merits of organic farming and she will try to practice in her community.
Miss Kamla More from Badwani District explained the meaning of environment and its conservation that she never heard before.
Miss Barkee drew everyone attention to how much trees give us and the time is come for us to protect and save them.
Miss Kiran Chouhan from Khargone district shared information on environment pollutionMrs Neha Kanoje shared benefits of trees.
Miss Idi, Miss Jendoo, Miss Uma and their group composed and sang sons about environmental conservation.
Also present on the Dias were Dr. Anupama Negi, Anaesthesist and counselor for breast cancerMr. Pramod Narayan Kulkarni, Retired Principal, Central School Mumbai,Dr. Geeta Handa ,the organic Chemist and Mr. Jimmy McGillgan Manager of the Barli Institute

During these three days, of the workshop the trainees would learn about the meaning of environment, what is pollution in general and carbon in particular and it’s affect on our lives. They would learn about the dangers of the use and over use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture, and when they are used how handle them without damaging their own health.Institute has developed its own training materials written in very simple local language and using the examples from local culture.
There were sessions conducted by the programme officers Ms Archna Margonwaer, Ms Dhedi Dawar, and Ms Noori. Dr. Geeta Handa , who is an organic Chemist, Dr. Anupma Negi an Aneasthesist, Dr. Shakutla Sharma and Aryuvedic practitioner, Mr Narain Prasad Madhup from Kukshi.
They learned about caring for the environment with a focus on role of women, appropriate and sustainable solutions to the current problems of forest degradation, the depletion of groundwater resources and rainfall dependant vegetable gardening.
Methods of how to organically grow dry, process, store and preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and lentils, rain-water harvesting, reuse of waste water for irrigation, waste management and composting, nursery development and plant propagation.
They also learned about the importance and benefits of solar cooking, especially for women to prevent the daily back-breaking work of fuel gathering and to help to preserve forest and woodlands and while doing so reduce air pollution.
Learning how the trees and plants absorb the pollution and carbon, and to understand that as we breathe out the trees breathe in and as they breathe out we breathe in a cleaner air.
For a full report of activities on World Environment Day visit our web site http://www.barli.org/
Jimmy McGilligan