Rural development for employment

Project region : North West India on the borders of China and Pakistan, up 4000 m in the Himalayas

Aim : Create employment despite the inhospitable environment

Course of action :

• Promote Pashmina wool: created in rural workshops, mostly by women
• Sales
• Develop new uses for solar energy (heating, sun driers)
• Solar greenhouses
• Create kitchen gardens and tea plantations
• develop traditional medicine and cultivate medicinal plants

High hopes for Ladakh

Because of its situation, Ladakh endures a very harsh climate. In this high altitude desert, the local farmers have to deal with the extremely low temperatures and the absence of water.

The 100 000 inhabitants of Ladakh are divided between 120 scattered villages. (10 000 of whom live in the capital Leh)
The wool industry is based on the 150 000 goats farmed in the region.

The Tibetan health care system, the “Amchi system” is a very complete, cheap and efficient alternative process; it relies on the use of medicinal plants and minerals.
This system is a result of one century of observation and adaptation. The aim is to bring healthcare to the entire region.

Local partner : LEHO (Ladakh environment and health organization)

European partner : GERES (Groupe Energies Renouvelables et Environments)
Duration : 2000 to 2002

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