Kishanganj GVK/VK

Workshop/ Training

 On May 22-23,2006 workshop to prepare projects was organized at Bhanwargarh. Around 45 adolescents of 6 villages attended the workshop. It provided a forum to jointly deliberate the important issues of biodiversity and its conservation. Whole affair was conducted in two phases:

1. In this phase emphasis was laid down on biodiversity of the region with special focus on :

• Conservation of depleting natural resources
• Nature and mankind relationship

2. Participants discussed about the role of adolescent scientists and National Children Science Congress . During the deliberations various projects pertaining to biodiversity were selected:

• Study of enclosures
• Economic valuation of Tendu leaves
• Cultivation of Chestnut

The workshop concluded with following recommendations:

• Identification of problems
• Formulation of hypothesis
• Collection of facts and data
• Experimentation and collection
• Drawing conclusions and finding solutions

 As a follow up measure another workshop concerned with biodiversity was organized on 1-2nd June .14 children of Parania cluster participated in the programme. Reports of those topics which were chosen for projects during previous workshop were analyzed.

 In the adjoining areas of Bhanwargarh, varied types of flora and herbs of medicinal importance are abundant in nature but due to ignorance it is not being used. To create awareness among rural folk for the promotion of herbal medicines and conservation of natural resources, a three days workshop was organized from 25-27th July, 2006. 17 persons (4 female; 13 male) from local community took part in the training. They learned the art of preparing drugs from barefoot doctors.

 Prior to National Children Science Congress, one day training was organized for resource persons .14 government and private school science teachers also shared their views. As part of discussion, various issues like objectives of National Children Science Congress, projects related to bio-diversity and establishment of Vigyan club were taken into account.

 Subsequently, on 22nd August a training workshop was organized at government school Parania involving 34 participants. The participants discussed the issues of biodiversity and selected following topics for project work:

• Bio-diversity of paddy field
• Effect of pollution
• Comparative study of earthworm

 This block also participated in National Children’s Science Congress around the theme of Biodiversity, subjects with local relevance were taken up. 18 projects were submitted at the State Children’s Science congress , 2 of them received appreciation of merit.

 With the collaboration of DST’s Kota office, GVK of Bhanwargarh organized a one day workshop on 11th March, 2007. This workshop focused on how projects made by department of Science and Technology can be applied for the development work of rural as well as urban areas. 56 persons from community participated and took part in the discussion. The main aim of the workshop was to know the details of various science and technology projects. During the workshop participants suggested made certain recommendations, which could be utilized for the benefit of community:

• Every school should have science club
• Launching of such projects by which community could be direct beneficiary.

 There are lots of misconception about the health of women folk in rural areas, especially about menstruation. It was felt that it is necessary to organize a training through which they can learn about the process of menstrual cycle. This workshop also focused on how male members of their families behave with the women during this period. 34 girls attended the three day workshop at Teja ji ka danda , Bhanwargarh. They tried to understand the whole phenomenon with the assistance of resource persons. Thereafter, groups participated in a practical experimentation of making pads used during menstruation cycle. They tried to comprehend the scientific aspects of the subject. Methods of family planning and use of contraceptives were also raised through participatory approach.

Formation of Science Club

GVK have encouraged the formation of 12 science clubs, which in future would play a pivotal role in disseminating the message of science.

Exposure visits

In order to disseminate and develop scientific knowledge and aptitude various exposure visits of adolescents were organized to build up their vision, confidence and awareness. These exposure visits gave adolescents the opportunity to collect a lot of information about their surroundings.

Table: Coverage of participants in various exposure visits

The specific purpose of these visits were as follows:

• To explore and understand the new technology & methodologies which are now being used for renewable energy.
• To make them aware about the management of natural resources
• To know the work done by Sankalp Sansthan, Mamony

 Participants visited Biomass Gasifier plant in Sanwada village, a place near to M. P. border. In this area Sankalp Sansthan with the help of SWRC, Tilonia established the Gasifier plant, where they are producing 46.4 Kilo watt electricity by using 30 kg of biomass and 2 liter of diesel.

 Adolescents also visited the nursery and vermi-compost producing unit which have been established by women self help groups.

 Group of adolescents participated in solar energy workshop where they discussed about the functioning of solar energy panels, charger, battery, etc. Afterwards, a good deal of time was spent on understanding the enclosures & technological details of establishing dairy in the vicinity of milk dairy.

Village Science Fairs:

Table: Details of various village science fairs organized by GVK and VKs.

The purpose of these fairs has been basically to strengthen the process of empowerment of adolescents and community; to create awareness about scientific beliefs, communication, etc. through which they would be able to understand and acquire scientific aptitude for its application in their lives.

Income Generating Activities

 Rural communities living in the resource poor areas still mainly depend on the natural resources for their livelihoods. Due to vagaries of nature such as drought and other natural calamities as well as increasing population, there is mounting pressure on natural resources. Keeping in view, the importance of natural resources and the income generation from them, one of the major activities started by adolescents’ forum was to create awareness about their benefits, but also on developing skill to grow nurseries of different type of plants. According to report from Bhanwargarh GVK, in Nathan Mahodri village, 8000 plants were grown in nursery. Whereas, in village Bhilan Mahodri, adolescent forum activists developed 3380 plants & prepared a mother bed of 2500 plants.

 GVK of Bhanwargarh has also taken up some other income generation activities like processing of vermi-compost . Simultaneously, barefoot doctors established separate nurseries of medicinal plants.

Other Activities

 By using the means of communication film shows were organized in 28 villages (e.g. Pinjana, Jagdishpura, Acharpura, Amrauli, Ranwasi) on vaccination. In each show hundred of persons participated.

 To identify the quality of food or any kind of adulteration in it DST Kota office, has provided a kit known as “Rasoi Kasauti” which is widely used by adolescents. They arte also using another kit obtained from SWRC Tilonia to test the quality of water.