Project Brief: The main goal of the project is to conserve the germplasm of the vulnerable, threatened and endangered local plant species that are of livelihood significance to the community in the Rishi Valley area
Project Type: Community Based Interventions (description)
Primary Focus: creating resources (description)

Secondary Focus: children of dalits/tribals

Area: Rural
Supporting Chapter Contact:
Seattle

Status: CLOSED - ENDED
Project Steward: Sumana Reddy
Project Partner(s): Radha Gopalan
Project Address: Rishi Valley Education Center - Special Development Authority (RVSDA)
Rishi Valley Education Center
Krishnamurti Foundation India
Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh 517352
Tel: +918571280622/280582
Stewarding Chapter: Seattle

RVEC is located in a rural landscape where the main sources of livelihood are agriculture and pastoralism. Due to increasing pressure on the local land and water resources, several local plant species (fodder, fruit trees, fuelwood, medicinal plants) are becoming endangered. A preliminary list of these plant species has been developed in collaboration with the community. Some of these species are also listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened, vulnerable and endangered plant species (See Annex 1). Several of these local species have livelihood significance for the community. RVEC intends to develop its private lands to establish a biodiversity park where these local endangered and threatened species will be planted and maintained. The main activities will include:

1. Collection of seeds / saplings of these local species. The seeds / saplings may be sourced from (i) the surrounding Reserve Forests using the assistance of the local community and the Forest Department (ii) Keystone Foundation (iii) Kaigal Environmental Education Programme (iv) Palani Conservation Council and any other appropriate sources.
2. Establishing a water source and associated distribution system including drip / sprinkler systems;
3. Establishing a local nursery to raise saplings;
4. Creating soil moisture conservation structures, where necessary, in the proposed project site;
5. Planting the saplings and where required dibbling the seeds of the selected species;
6. Fencing and protecting the project site from encroachment;
7. Maintenance of the Biodiversity Park;
8. Developing a system for sustainable harvesting of material (including seeds/saplings, fruit, leaves, roots etc.) from the Park;
9. Developing the Park as an educational centre both for the community and other educational institutions.
10. Creating child-friendly guides to the flora and fauna of the Park for students.