Govardhan Eco Village

Author : Staff
Email : [email protected]
Date Produced : July 30, 2010
Editor : Sriman Rasmandal Das
Serial No. : 39 of 54

1. Author : Staff Email : [email protected] Date Produced : July 30, 2010 Editor : Sriman Rasmandal Das Serial No. : 39 of 54 GOVARDHAN ECO VILLAGE

2. www.ecovillage.org.in Purpose of GEV The purpose behind this Govardhan eco-village is two fold To present a sustainable community model To educate people in the field of traditional sciences including Yoga, spirituality, Cow Protection & Ayurveda.

3. www.ecovillage.org.in 6 th purpose of ISKCON To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life. - Srila Prabhupada

4. www.ecovillage.org.in Prithu Maharaj tathäpare ca sarvatra säram ädadate budhäù tato ' nye ca yathä-kämaà duduhuù påthu-bhävitäm “Others, who were as intelligent as King Påthu , also took the essence out of the earthly planet. Indeed, everyone took this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of King Påthu and get whatever he desired from the planet earth.” (SB 4.18.13) Çrila Prabhupäda : “The planet earth is also called vasundharä . The word vasu means "wealth," and dharä means "one who holds." All creatures within the earth fulfill the necessities required for human beings, and all living entities can be taken out of the earth by the proper means.”

5. www.ecovillage.org.in Lord Ramachandra SB 9.10.52 vanäni nadyo girayo varñäëi dvépa-sindhavaù sarve käma-dughä äsan prajänäà bharatarñabha “O Mahäräja Parékñit , best of the Bharata dynasty, during the reign of Lord Rämacandra the forests, the rivers, the hills and mountains, the states, the seven islands and the seven seas were all favorable in supplying the necessities of life for all living beings.”

6. www.ecovillage.org.in Lord Ramachandra SB 1.10.4 kämaà vavarña parjanyaù sarva-käma-dughä mahé siñicuù sma vrajän gävaù payasodhasvatér mudä “During the reign of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira , the clouds showered all the water that people needed, and the earth produced all the necessities of man in profusion. Due to its fatty milk bag and cheerful attitude, the cow used to moisten the grazing ground with milk.”

7. www.ecovillage.org.in Purpose of Farm Communities “The Kåñëa consciousness movement is therefore establishing various farms, especially in America, to show how to be happy and content with minimum necessities of life and to save time for self-realization, which one can very easily achieve by chanting the mahä -mantra—Hare Kåñëa , Hare Kåñëa , Kåñëa Kåñëa , Hare Hare/ Hare Räma , Hare Räma , Räma Räma , Hare Hare.” SB 8.19.21 purport

8. www.ecovillage.org.in Pure Eco-friendly “The product, service, or activity does not adversely affect the environment, does not consume any non-renewable resources, and creates no waste or emissions, and does not harm any living beings (excluding most plants as these are renewable). This would be the purist form of eco friendly and there are very few items that can be placed under this banner.”

9. www.ecovillage.org.in Practically Eco-friendly “The product, service or activity, could represent a reduction in consumption of non-renewable resources, and/or creates reduced emissions, and/or produces less harm to living beings than the norm or accepted average. Whilst this is not pure, this represents a "step in the right direction" or a "change for the better””

10. www.ecovillage.org.in Vision of GEV “Living in harmony and according to way Krishna wants us to live on material level and spiritual level. Living in respect for mother earth, who is Bhoomi devi , who is the consort of Varaha Dev , who is Lakshmi herself and honoring her and living in ways which replenish her resources rather than exploit her resources and then utilize what ever resources she gives us by her grace for the service of Lord Vishnu. So that’s our understanding of eco friendly.” - HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

11. Surat Mumbai Virar Wada Location Distance from Mumbai – 110 km Distance from Surat – 220 km

12. Location

13. FACT (Facility for Alternative Construction Technologies) Activities of Govardhan Eco Village Rural Education

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16. Need for Organic Farming For sustaining the fertility of the soil Keeping the agriculture produce non-toxic Chemical based fertilizers & pesticides  toxic crops & harmful for health Genetically modified seeds  greater yield, reduction in fertility. Oxen for ploughing  save them from being slaughtered. www.ecovillage.org.in

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18. Agriculture Produce Fruits Produced: Bannana , Mango, Chikoo , Papaya , Jackfruit , Guava Rice Varieties produced: Garvi (more water)type - Zini, Govind Bhog, Kolapi, Siddhagiri, Pusasugandha, Blackbuma, Telosingh, Kalagira, Old kolam. Halvar ( less water ) type – Padama , Dangi Cereals Produced: Tuar , Moong , Channa Flowers Produced: Jasmine, Marigold, lily, lotus, rose www.ecovillage.org.in

19. Vegetables produced: Ambadi , Ladiesfinger , Pumpkin , Beetroot , Broccoli, Chakota , Brinjal , Chawli , Bottle gourd , Corriander , CauliFlower , Carrot , Gavar , Ghevada , Gholsabji , Gilka , Hirvamath , Harbhara Bhaji , Ginger , Bitter gourd , Cabbage , Kakdi , Karanda , Khursani , Lalmath , Methi , Green Chilies, Corn , Dry Chilies, Muli , Navalkol , Parval , Papdi , Papaya, Rajgira , Shepu , Turai , Tinda , Tomato , Tondli , Alupane , Val

20. Traditional means of agriculture Indigenous variety of seeds, instead of genetically modified varieties. Cow dung manures & vermicomposts instead of chemical based fertilizers Cow urine & neem based pest repellants instead of chemical based pesticides Oxen instead of tractors. www.ecovillage.org.in

21. Organic Farming practices Crop rotation Composting Organic fertilizers & Pesticides Permanent raised beds Companion planting Mulching Drip and sprinkler irrigation www.ecovillage.org.in

22. Research & Training Seminars for educating the local villagers. Lunar cycle based vegetable production Pest control using Cow urine and plant extracts www.ecovillage.org.in

23. Research & Training Vedic rainfall prediction techniques Rainfall a local phenomenon and cant be generalized over wide geographical area Modern prediction systems have failed time and again Vedic rainfall prediction based on observing symptoms in nature www.ecovillage.org.in

24. Research & Training Protection of indigenous rice varieties Planted 54 rare varieties of rice to protect them Currently creating a seed bank for free distribution to farmers Reserching on Ideal organic farming practices for rural india www.ecovillage.org.in

25. ORGANIC FARMING Educational and training programmes in the nearby villages Creating awareness on the improved farm production technologies focused on organic farming. Plan to establish demonstrative units www.ecovillage.org.in

26. A Holistic Development Programme for Rural & Tribal communities in Wada Block of Thane District ( GEV’s project in collaboration with BAIF) www.ecovillage.org.in •Food Security and Poverty Alleviation •Improving the health status of the community •Increasing the asset base of the tribals •Empowerment of women

27. A Holistic Development Programme for Rural & Tribal communities in Wada Block of Thane District ( GEV’s project in collaboration with BAIF) www.ecovillage.org.in

28. Sustainable Model Involving the tribals themselves in the development process, their human, material, social and financial assets. Introducing and implementing various eco-friendly income generation activities, mainly land and livestock based. www.ecovillage.org.in

29. The program Helping the tribals establish one-acre horticulture plantation to provide long term sustainable income. Improving the agriculture practices by providing improved technology for the main crops and introduction of vegetable and cash crops. Emphasis on women empowerment Various self-help groups will be started focusing on active participation in land development activities, raising forestry plants in the nursery, fruit plants cultivation, kitchen gardens etc. To improve sanitation and hygiene through improved techniques for disposal of solid and liquid wastes. www.ecovillage.org.in

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31. www.ecovillage.org.in Goshala Today practically no one is making this distinction. We are making it, and we have introduced these ideas by establishing farm communities and protecting our cows. And our cows are winning awards for giving the most milk, because they are so jubilant. They know, "These people will not kill me." They know it, so they are very happy. Nor do we kill their calves. At other farms, soon after the cow gives birth to a calf, they pull her calf away for slaughter. You see? This means society has no brain. You may create hundreds of organizations, but society will never be happy. That is the verdict.” (BTG, 1985, Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out, Advice to the United Nations)

32. Started in 2003 with 9 cows & bulls Currently 62, expected to reach 100 in next few years. Planning for new Goshala with rope free zones, fresh water, special calf care etc. www.ecovillage.org.in

33. 3 breeds Tharparkar , Gir Dangi www.ecovillage.org.in

34. Cow protection is about expressing our gratitude for the wonderful gifts that cows have given to human society. www.ecovillage.org.in

35. The purpose of Goshala is to demonstrate the principle of cow protection and how their blessings can be suitably utilized in our day to day life. www.ecovillage.org.in

36. Bulls engaged in Ploughing Oil mill Flour mill Transportation within GEV Animal Driven Prime Mover www.ecovillage.org.in

37. Milk from the cows meets the daily requirement of milk for the community. Cow dung used for Biogas plant, manure & cottage industry www.ecovillage.org.in

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39. www.ecovillage.org.in Vedic Lifestyle “Eddy Sterns, who has some very very prominent people, they would love to come to Yoga retreats there. And if it’s really comfortable and really aesthetic and they really see wonderful cow protection...they are seeing how we are really trying to get alternative energies, and they are eating all natural foods that are growing there. A few people like that can bring about a tremendous amount of attention in the whole world and whole nation.” - From a talk by HH Rädhänäth Swämi Mahäräja .

40. Alternative energy sources Biogas Plant Solar ADPM Firewood www.ecovillage.org.in

41. Bio-gas Plant Many bio-degradable wastes can be used apart from cow dung. Slurry acts as good organic manure in a readily dispensable form. Biogas (mainly CH 4 ) can be used for any thermal applications like cooking and electricity generation. Currently, GEV has a 30 m 3 floating dome and a 6 m 3 fixed dome biogas plants with plans for future expansion. A 15 KVA generator runs entirely on biogas. www.ecovillage.org.in

42. Animal Driven Prime Mover 2 bulls rotate a lever connected to a positive displacement pump through a gear, chain & pulley system Discharge – 7000-8000 liters/hour at 60 ft depth (equivalent to 5hp pump) Operated for more than 12 hrs a day with multiple bull pairs

43. Firewood Biogas for Cooking Fuel Efficient and Smokeless Firewood Stoves ( Chulhas ) www.ecovillage.org.in

44. Solar Solar Thermal Solar Photo Voltaic www.ecovillage.org.in

45. GRIHA Govardhan Research Institute of Housing Alternatives

46. Built with locally available materials Extraordinary comfort even in harsh climates Close connection to earth with calming & healing effects www.ecovillage.org.in Traditional Buildings Built with highly processed natural materials Release toxic substances into our homes Damages the environment Tend to isolate us from nature Modern Buildings

47. Made from earth that is ‘rammed’ or packed between forms. A little moistened clay-rich subsoil is shoveled into the forms, tamped by hand or pneumatic tamper. Walls are often left unplastered and look beautiful. www.ecovillage.org.in Rammed Earth Rammed earth Cob Compressed Stabilized Earth blocks Types of Earthen Homes @ GEV

48. Cob is a mix of clay-rich dirt, sand & straw. The material is applied often in loaf-shapes to the foundation and wall directly by hand or by shovelful. When cob dries, it becomes hard like sand stone. Works for many climates. Time-tested building technique –1000s of cob homes are still occupied after 500-700 yrs. www.ecovillage.org.in COB House

49. Made at GEV by mixture of soil, quarry dust and lime. Only 5-10% cement used. Mixture poured in a die and hand pressed in a machine After 3 weeks of curing load bearing capacity increases to 60 Kg/sq cm. Bricks are laid on the foundation and the binding agent is also similar to the brick mixture. www.ecovillage.org.in Compressed Stabilized Earth blocks

50. Bull powered Flour mill www.ecovillage.org.in

51. Bull powered Oil Mill www.ecovillage.org.in

52. www.ecovillage.org.in Rural Education

53. www.ecovillage.org.in Educaion Gurukul for children & Varnasrama College. The purpose to establish a training college for Brahmacharis and Congregation devotees becomes a must if we want devotees to work according to their varna (inclinations) and acquire relevant skills to become economically stable so as to focus on self. It is also required when the student graduates from the Gurukul . More so, if education has to be an ongoing or lifelong quest then, a dedicated facility will definitely help to facilitate these inspirations.

54. LNHO started in1905 in Mumbai to give shelter to the famine afflicted children. ISKCON invited to operate in ‘80s LNHO shifted to GEV in 2005 Steady efforts to provide excellent quality training & education, along with imparting spiritual values to many rural children from economically underpriviliged families. www.ecovillage.org.in

55. Vocational training Personal counseling Spoken English classes Value education Spiritual tours Yoga classes Home Schooling @ LNHO

56. Well trained teaching staff Idyllic setting of peaceful rural surroundings Sporting in the vast play grounds of GEV Physical training – Ensures healthy body & mind Nutritional diet – Farm fresh vegetables & milk Spiritual training – nourishing the inner self Vocational training – Farming, Cow care, carpentry, painting, handicrafts Experiential learning, Periodic field trips, Home schooling, Rapid reading, Vocabulary building, Vedic mathematics and Spoken English LNHO Facilities

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58. GEV took initiative for creating a positive change in the lifestyle and the state of affairs of rural communities by providing them Sustainable livelihood Improving available natural resources Healthcare, sanitation, education & training etc. www.ecovillage.org.in

59. HEALTH CARE BhaktiVedanta Hospital is providing effective healthcare to rural population throughout Thane district with special focus on tribal areas in Wada & Palghar . www.ecovillage.org.in

60. Result These activities have led to appreciate devotees and thus help create goodwill among the local villagers. www.ecovillage.org.in

61. Cottage industry run by Women • Khakara making • Paper bags making • Bamboo products • Handicrafts Empowering Tribal women Wadis (integrated farming system comprising of horticulture, agriculture & dairy). Self Help Groups (SHGs) Training and exposure visits. Women Empowerment