At Chirag, natural resource management is an integrated concept. One that involves work on forests, agriculture, water, and animal husbandry, all of which is undertaken with the community.

Chirag’s program areas lie in the zone between 1000m and 3000m in the Kumaon region – a mix of sub-tropical and temparate climate. The people of this region are largely dependent on natural resources for their livelihood and fuel.

The greatest challenges to the natural resources in the region is the growing population and changing patterns of consumption and management. Through a combination of education, technical support and community mobilization, Chirag is encouraging a more sustainable management of community natural resources. The scope of the programme is broad and has grown in keeping with the changing needs of the community and region.

Programmes that fall under natural resource management include community forestry, soil water conservation, catchment area protection, agriculture, animal husbandry, fodder development and conservation.