Detailed below are some ideas of future empowerrment and development modules, which can transform Gairi Gaon, to make it a model showcasing the concept of Integrated village tourism. It is proposed to fund these from value added tours. We also seek active participation from like minded individuals, institutions, associations and tour companies. Those interested may please contact us. Stone paving of foot paths Walking tracks linking homesteads are difficult to negotiate during wet weather. This community sub - project envisages stone paving and construction of essential drainage and few stairs to make the tracks linking 14 households, all weather. Locals can provide stones and labour on self help basis... Funds will be required for cement, sand, and skilled labour. |
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Alternative Energy This community sub- project aims at providing a clean environment and reducing carbon emissions. Currently the village has erratic electric supply which is expensive, cooking gas is out of reach of most families, and all cooking is done on wood burning open hearths. The Sub- project envisages harnessing a combination of solar and wind power and improvement to cooking stoves. Initially the requirement is for providing funds for domestic solar lighting sets, solar cooking sets, and effective wood burning stoves (Solar cookers do not work in cloudy weather) A demonstrator solar cooker has been provided and a smokeless wood burning stove has been designed and installed in a home stay kitchen as a demonstrator.
Wind Power is a possibility, and is being studied. It is a high cost project and can be taken up latter Home stay Cottages The concept of home stays is an earning module incorporated in Awake & Shine Integrated Tourism project. Our first home stay cottage linked with the Awake & Shine Pre School is a reality, and has been appreciated by a score of visitors. A second cottage is under construction for a different family. Our target is to provide for 8-10 village home stay beds, spread over different homes- to enable small group tours. The idea is that a donor adopts one family and assists in building a home - stay cottage. The family will provide land and labour whilst the donor provides funding for the material. There would be a commitment to pass on percentage of earnings towards funding project Awake & Shine, and an offer of a holiday to the donor every year. There are exciting possibilities of cultural exchange by present and future generations. Waste Disposal and Homestead Hygiene Currently there is no proper waste disposal system. Due to the difficult terrain, and distances between homesteads and lack of transportation, a community waste disposal project is difficult and expensive. Homestead based waste disposal is a better alternative. Funding is required for conversion of household waste into farm manure, and building individual WCs linked to shared soakage pits. Medical & Health Centre The existing medical facilities provided by the government are inadequate A “dream project is the setting up of a Village medical & health centre manned by a stream of volunteer doctors / paramedics with funding from privileged communities round the world. It is an ideal project for the any medical association to take up as a challenge. Vegetables for the Market The local diet is deficient in green vegetables. Despite the good demand for vegetables at Kalimpong and adjacent areas, there is hardly any cultivation of vegetables at Samthar. On the other hand at Kurseong;, Rv Father Abrahan, a Canadian missionary has demonstrated how vegetables can be grown in small plots, using improvised hot houses, organic manure and drip irrigation (to conserve scarce water resources). This also prevents top soil erosion during the monsoons. It s proposed to replicate these innovative methods to produce a cash crop of vegetables, herbs etc. This is a low cost project with great potential. Funding is required only for plastic hot houses with bamboo frames, seedling trays, seeds and manure bins. There is scope for a family to family tie –up. A privileged family can act as benefactor to a local family to enable them to start this project. Rain Water Harvesting Samthar has scarce water resources on the ridges. Rainwater run off is wasted. Funds are required to provide meterial for household rain water harvesting sets, comprising roof gutters, pipes and storage tanks. Vocational Training Modules Aimed at empowering school drop outs and educated unemployed, this project envisages vocational training modules to train for the following vocations
This involves building work sheds, provision of tools and training. |
Gurudongma Tours & Treks, Gurudongma House, Hill Top, Kalimpong, Dist - Darjeeling, West Bengal, India - 734301
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