For centuries, hill communities have had a symbiotic relationship with their forests and environment, one that is founded in tradition and necessity. The people of this region are largely dependent on natural resources for their survival. However, demographic pressure and socio-economic changes that have occurred in last few decades have made the relationship an exploitative one, resulting in degraded forests, loss of pasture land, drying up of springs and a decrease in other resources.

Through a combination of education, technical support and community mobilization, our teams encourage a more sustainable management of community natural resources. The scope of the program is broad and is constantly evolving to keep up with the changing needs of the community and region. At Chirag, we perceive natural resource management as an integrated concept; activities are interdependent and inseparable from each other. Programs that fall under Natural Resource Management include forestry and fodder, spring recharge, animal husbandry and watershed development.

With more than 25 years of experience in the field, we also provide technical assistance to other Grassroots Development Organizations (GDOs) working in the state of Uttarakhand. Presently, we provide technical support to GDOs that support and promote improved fodder grasses in the region.