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Bandh Village in Solan district, India

Notes

This is a group project and hence open. This can be organised with mutual consent with partners. The duration of this group workcamp is 10 days.

In partnership with

RUCHI NGO


Description of the Work

The project aims at restoring old paths in the Bandh–Shilli village tract. Volunteers take part in conservation activities, including physical tasks such as clearing trails and rebuilding dry stone walls
The project work involves conservation activities including manual work on development or restoration of old paths in the Shilli tract of this interior hilly area and will involve physical work: clearing paths, moving stones aside, rebuilding dry stone walls, put up signs, collected fallen fuel woods and enhancing the paved sections of the paths. Other activities will be planned keeping in view the flora and fauna of the area.

The project aims to create awareness and respect among youth towards local culture, nature and environment. During this project volunteers will live in lap of nature with just basic living facilities (Accommodation and toilets (Bath + WC)). We aim to provide an experience of living in wilderness with bare necessity and connecting with nature.


Accommodation & Food

Volunteers will stay at peaceful RUCHI campus on twin/triple sharing basis. Bed and beddings are provided. Simple basic amenities will be available. Though cooked authentic Indian vegetarian meals will be served volunteers are expected to assist the cook.


Location & Leisure

The project location is countryside in the foothills of Himalayas, 25 kms off the Baddi township in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. The area offers a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment.

During leisure time, discover vibrant rural life, visit nearby places of attraction like old Sikh and Hindu temples, Kasauli hill station. A visit to Shimla, the state capital, will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains and British architecture.


Requirements

The volunteer should not suffer from any mental illness and physical disability restricting the movement. Otherwise no specific skills are required.


Appointment

At the Kalka station/airport


Host Organization

Rural Centre for Human Interests (known as RUCHI, which means ‘interest’ in Hindi) came into being as a non-profit, voluntary organization in October 1980, set up in the Himalayan foothills of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, INDIA. RUCHI is legally registered under Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860. Presently, RUCHI head office is located in a new complex called the Technology Resource Centre (TRC). The office a centre of technology transfer came into force, in the year 1994 as an extension program of CAPART, of the Ministry of Rural Development. The objective is to promote, develop and modify the rural technologies. Situated in the hills of Solan district in Bandh village, this centre has been the hub of all activities. RUCHI has focused through the years on promoting sustainable anthropocentric development through empowerment – by providing assistance and technical support to the underprivileged, showing them the way to minimize dependence and thus attain a better life – rather than just through charity. RUCHI’s founders felt there was a need for a committed workforce to initiate the process of development at the grassroots level, encouraging individual and community participation in the process.