The Society for Scientific Advancement of Hills & Rural Areas (SAHARA) is a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) created to address the economic needs of the poor people living in the rural areas adjacent to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). This is an important function since the Park has impacted the lives of these people and they in turn have the potential to impact the Park. The administration of the Indian Park service and that of GHNP in particular have been very supportive of and work closely with SAHARA.

Background
The people of these rural areas have historically lived off the land, basically as subsistence farmers.They tend mountain agricultural plots, herd their small flocks of animals, gather wood, medicinal herbs and bamboo from the forest, and handicraft cloth woven on hand looms and baskets from bamboo. In spite of being industrious and hard working these villagers are poor. The loss of economic resources resulting from the formation of GHNP has been an additional pressure. The pursuit of economic sustainability is an on-going challenge.

Micro-Lending
One such proven model is the concept of micro-lending, pioneered by Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen bank in Bangladesh. This is based on making available relatively small amounts of "seed" money to individuals for their use in creating small grass roots businesses. The SAHARA model of Women's Savings and Credit Groups (WSCG) takes this concept one step further. Rather than having the money introduced from the outside, through a micro-lending bank, each member of a small lending group puts aside a small amount of money each day (1 rupee or 2 cents US). They accumulate their own pool of capital, creating their own micro bank. One clear advantage of this structure is that, not only do they not have to pay interest, but that they can put this money in a local bank and earn interest.

Operations/Achievements
Villagers participate in Park/SAHARA programmes which have potential for enhancing their incomes. In a male dominated, poverty ridden society, the local womenfolk who constitute half of the population play a very important role. SAHARA has facilitated organizing women of poor families in the Women Saving and Credit Groups (WSCGs). A micro-credit programme is bringing poor women together. For doing so the SAHARA and the Park management undertook a capacity building programme of twelve selected women Group Organisers (G.Os.) from the buffer zone. So far 92 WSCGs with more than 900 poor women have been organised SAHARA. Each of these women saves her own money (Re. one per day) which now has become a good sum of Rs. 4,50,000. When a WSCG saves about Rs. 4000, its members credits within the group to invest money in income generation activity. Each of the WSCGs is getting developed into a Production Center. The group members discuss an income generation activity. The group being small, and members knowing each other's capabilities, the decision of `who will undertake which activity' is taken within the group. The most important of the activities which these groups are doing in the current year is of medicinal plant cultivation (in the buffer zone), vermicomposting, organic farming, medicinal plant cultivation, handicraft making which to some extent will be able to compensate for the loss of their herb collection rights in the GHNP. So far the all the WSCGs in past two years have done a business of more than Rs. 15,00,000 with the help of their own savings.

Involvement of Men
Women are the poorest and often the least economically involved or empowered members of the society. At the same time they are responsible for feeding, clothing, and producing much of the food and goods for their families survival. It has been found through experience that women are both receptive to the concept of savings and credit groups, and capable of the discipline required to implement it. Of particular excitement is the current attempt to interest and involve men in support of the WSCGs.

Goals
SAHARA works in close co-operation with the Great Himalayan National Park to facilitate the participation of the community, especially women, in natural resource management. These mechanisms are being developed so that the WSCGs also strengthen existing Village Forest Development Committee/ Societies from within. This program is addressing the issue of sustainability through empowerment of women within the hill society. It should be emphasized that the women have intimate knowledge of natural resources and their use.SAHARA's ultimate goal is the empowerment of poor women and the organization has the following objectives:
• Develop outreach
• Organize sustainable groups for income
  generating activities
• Educate, train, and develop awareness
• Empower through financial development, self-sufficiency,
  and decision-making
• Enhance political partnership
• Enhance conservation of natural resources
• Improve women's health conditions
• Reduce traditional exploitation of women
• Reduce caste discrimination in the villages
• Enhance relationship of women groups with
  government and other similar institutions
• Empower women rights and welfare in the
  developmental policies

Involvement of GHNP
GHNP is taking in actively supporting SAHARA's efforts. Much of SAHARA's strength lies in its' female field staff for whom GHNP management provide intensive training. These field staffers then assist poor village women in forming the Women's Savings and Credit Groups (WSCGs). They are also providing administrative support continuity, cohesiveness, and a mode for interactive cooperation for the WSCGs program. Park officials are also supporting these groups with wage-oriented work, such as preparation of nurseries, plantation work, path repair, etc., to them on a priority basis.

Because the women are saving their own money, and as a rule no outside loans or assistance is coming to these groups, the group members are developing self-esteem and the responsibility and skills of investing their own savings. Members of these small groups know each others capabilities so the income-generating decisions can be very effective. Thus the WSCGs have been avoiding the "subsidy culture" by providing loans for "production activities." In addition their repayment rate has been impressive, close to 100%; perhaps because it is their own money. The support and involvement of GNHP with SAHARA is a crucial component in the maintenance of the Park. It is essential to gain the appreciation, understanding, and support, of the people who live close to the Park with regard to the conservation efforts toward the environment of the Park. While policing will not work, cooperation and organic economic necessity will.

Contact:
SAHARA
V.P.O.: Sidwan, Banjar Distt. Kullu PIN 175 123, H.P.
(Regd. under The Societies Registration Act (1860)
Phone: 01902 260636
Email: dirchnp@sancharnet.in
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