Rachna Verma
Rachna Verma
RV is an Enviornmental journalist with 5 years of experience.She began her carrer with The Hindustan Times and has worked with esteemed publications like The Statesman ,Prasar Bharti etc. Currently She writes independently for platforms like Mongabay,The Newsminute,& 101 reporters etc.
Stories by Rachna Verma
 31 Jan, 2025

Himachal's natural farming certification faces market blues

CETARA-NF is the answer to high costs and complex documentation required for organic certification schemes, but certified small farmers are struggling to find right buyers and to establish their products' credibility before them   Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Raman Sharma (35) and his father Hemraj Sharma (63) from Moolberi village in Shimla were brimming with hope and pride as they received their three-star rating under Certified Evaluation Tool for Agriculture Resource Analysis of Natural Farming (CETARA-NF) under Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) in 2022. They thought the different crops they grew on their six bigha plot would fetch good prices with this certification, which aims at helping farmers to transition to chemical-free farming. However, things were not easy.Among the crops that the family cultivates are radish, onion, peas, spinach and garlic. He harvested three quintals of garlic last year, of which the state agriculture department purchased one quintal for Rs 350 per kg. According to Raman, the department selects a few farmers every year and buys a limited amount of their produce. This purchase is later used for seed distribution. “The remaining two quintals had to be sold locally for Rs 125 per kg, just like chemically-grown garlic,” said a disappointed Raman.Raman and Hemraj have been into natural farming for the last five years. A freelance web designer, Raman chose to make natural farming his main business and take it online. However, he faces credibility issues, especially in proving that the produce is truly natural. Yet, he is hopeful of better times as he knows people in metro cities are ready to spend money for good food. "I have worked in metro cities in the past, so I know there is a market for natural products... Farming is always considered a non-profitable business, but I want to build a successful venture. For this, I believe quality is the key. That is why I chose natural farming," says Raman. Aruna Devi installed stalls at selling products produced by natural farming at various fairs (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Raman’s case is no exception. Yesh Pal (35) from Rampur has been implementing natural farming techniques on his eight bigha plot for nearly four years. He received a two-star CETARA certification in 2023. However, he has not been able to sell a single crop, be it garlic, green peas or cauliflower, under the certification due to the lack of a functioning market system.Yesh has not even renewed the certification after the one-year period as he has not benefited from it. He sold all his produce in the general marketplace for Rs 50 to 120 per kg.  The labour-intensive nature of natural farming is discussed in a compendium of case studies of the Centre for Science and Environment. "Natural farming is inherently labour-intensive and faces yield-related challenges in its initial years. Additionally, access to the market is the biggest challenge for natural farmers. Several initiatives are being taken, including self-declared certification, leveraging FPOs, captive markets, dedicated space in agricultural produce marketing committees and canopies. However their implementation and success remains to be seen."About PK3Y, the article said, "The PK3Y programme has helped farmers decrease their dependence on the market for inputs and lower the cost of cultivation... Market-related initiatives planned by the state are in their initial phase. Planning seems to be on track, but implementation, execution and their success remain to be seen, especially with regard to self-certification and how FPOs are leveraged."Raman Sharma showcasing his CETARA-NF certification online (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)The nitty-grittyHimachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to introduce a certification for natural farming under PK3Y run by the agriculture department. The CETARA-NF has three ratings. Antral-PK3 is an entry-level rating, which signifies a farmer’s initial conversion from chemical to natural farming. Here the score is less than 30. Sadharan-PK3 signifies that natural farming practices have been adopted by the farmer, with some use of external non-chemical inputs. It is provided after one year of Antral-PK3. Here the score is from 30 to 50. Vishisht-PK3 rating is given to farmers doing natural farming strictly. It is provided after a year of Sadharan-PK3, and the rating score is above 50.Under CETARA-NF, Himachal Pradesh is also the first state to announce minimum support prices (MSPs) for naturally farmed wheat and maize. "No other crop produced under natural farming techniques has MSP right now. The government is planning to sell the procured wheat and maize through PDS depots,"  Ravinder Singh Jasrotia, Additional Director, Department of Agriculture, told 101Reporters.According to Jasrotia, they procure maize from the registered farmers only. "We procure a maximum of 20 quintals from a farmer," he added.CETARA-NF certification is not mandatory for this, and just registering as a natural farmer with the agriculture department is enough. Farmers can register themselves offline by going to the department office, or during the department staff's field visits or training sessions. Asked why the department does not procure the entire crop, Jasrotia explained that they wanted to reach out to maximum farmers, which was the main reason. Secondly, natural farming is usually done on less than one hectare of land in Himachal Pradesh. So it is less likely that farmers will produce more than 20 quintals. "We may consider revising it in future if the cultivated area increases," he added. Unlike the costly organic certifications, CETARA is completely free. However, it follows a self-assessment system to evaluate the natural farming practices adopted. The grading is based on factors such as crop rotation, use of natural inputs and eco-friendly practices. Farmers who adopt sustainable methods, such as intercropping and keeping indigenous cows, are awarded higher ratings. Farmers should register themselves on the government website and provide details of the crops and the land under cultivation. In addition, a farmer has to give names and phone numbers of three other farmers, who will attest to the information provided by the individual farmer. Upon verification by block technology manager (BTM), a final score and rating will be generated. No documentation is required to get the certificate.A BTM is an outsourced position, wherein the agriculture department hires field staff holding MSc in agriculture or horticulture. To assist a BTM, two agriculture technological managers are provided. They do all the field work, conduct training sessions, create awareness and carry out field visits from time to time. However, there is no provision for special training or assistance to CETARA-certified farmers.    According to the state agriculture department’s 2023-24 annual report, 1,33,258 out of the total 1,36,270 registered farmers have CETARA certification. However, Raman felt the certification lacked credibility among buyers and consumers. “Any farmer can obtain it simply by answering a few multiple-choice questions about natural farming practices, without any real verification of produce quality. Moreover, no one is aware of this certification outside the state,” he pointed out.Detailing his experience, Raman said, “When the government introduced CETARA-NF, as a progressive farmer, I hoped that this would allow me to move our business online and reach more buyers. Unfortunately, this turned out to be futile. The certification lacks credibility among buyers and consumers.”Pankaj Thakur (38) of Nankhari village explained how he unsuccessfully tried selling his produce outside the state. "Nobody recognised my CETARA certification. Ultimately, I had to sell my full  apple crop to Chaupal Naturals Farmers Producer Company Limited," he says. Asked about CETARA-NF certification, Charanjiv Singh, president, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said he was not aware of it. Mohit Sood, president, Grain Market Association, Sector 26, Chandigarh, also said that he had never come across such a certification. However, both said that they were aware of certification for organic produce. According to recent research, most of the CETARA-certified farmers fall under the two-star category (61.5%), followed by one-star (28.5%) and three-star (10%). This means only 10% have fully transitioned to natural farming, while 61.5% is somewhere in the middle of transition. One-star merely reflects the early stages of the transition journey. Hemraj stirring the Jeevamrit every morning and evening to ensure better consistency (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Expert insightsCETARA was designed to address the challenges faced by small farmers who cannot afford the high costs (Rs 15,000 to 70,000) and complex documentation required by organic certification schemes, depending  upon multiple tests. Also, the assessment requires a lot of time, almost three years. “This is a great initiative as it is in favour of farmers, but only if implemented well,” Padma Shri awardee and veteran natural farmer Nekram Sharma told 101Reporters.“The process has been simplified, but the certification itself remains ineffective due to the absence of a well-established market system for certified produce. Moreover, there are concerns of labelling chemical produce as natural or mixing up of both types of produce. The certification can be prone to misuse as well, as many farmers are small landholders and take up natural farming only on a portion of their land,” he said.Nekram suggested that there should be one exclusive counter in every mandi for natural produce. "Right now, the agriculture department runs weekly markets for naturally produced items, where farmers can sell their produce to the department. However, the problem is that the department procures only a limited amount, as less as one kg, from each farmer," he said, adding that buyers can reach out to farmers through the horticulture department's website. Dr Manoj Gupta, Principal Extension Specialist (Agricultural Economics), State Project Implementing Unit, PK3Y, told 101Reporters that certification was built to help farmers get hassle-free and cost-effective certification. “In general, other certification processes [organic] itself are bureaucratic and time-consuming, which discourages many farmers from applying. In contrast, CETARA is hassle-free and comes without fees. It helps consumers trust that the farming methods are aligned with sustainability standards that support market differentiation, promote traditional practices and earn potential premium prices. Additionally, certification ensures supply chain transparency and accountability, encouraging broader adoption of sustainable farming practices,” he explained. Dr Rajeshwar S Chandel, Vice-Chancellor, YS Parmar University of Horticulture, Solan, told 101Reporters that the main goal of this certification is to serve as an identity card for farmers. "The certification does not guarantee premium prices, though many farmers believe it does. We should not be making natural produce a premium product like organic, because when we label  organic produce as premium, we directly make it exclusive to the elite class or a particular section," he explained.On how good returns can be ensured to farmers, Chandel said, "It guarantees premium price indirectly as labour costs reduce and money used earlier on fertilisers is saved when a farmer takes up natural farming. Right now, farmers are not counting this as profit or are unable to see it... Farmers should establish a direct link with consumers located nearby as this can reduce transportation costs."Asked if the certification could be misused, he stated that it is based on trust and relies on self-assessment by farmers. "The university also picks up random crops or produce for checking," he adds. YS Parmar University plays a vital role in research related to natural farming in the state. He also shared that the government is working to provide suitable markets and that 10 FPOs are currently procuring products from CETARA-NF certified farmers. "They buy apples for Rs 250-300 per kg against the normal market rate of Rs 175-200," Chandel cites. However, he agreed that there is a need for improvement in the process. This story was produced as a part of NCNF Media Fellowship on Agroecology. Cover Photo - Hemraj working in his garden (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)

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Himachal's natural farming certification faces market blues

 12 Sep, 2024

Nepali migrant workers in apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh face the heat of climate change

Workdays in the orchards have come down to 70-90 days against the earlier 120-150 days, making orchard workers shift to construction labour and other similar work Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: When Sushma (16) from Seemapur village of Nepal reached the apple orchard of Lata Devi on the outskirts of Shimla district in the second week of June, her aim was to earn Rs 30,000 to 50,000, in order to fund her nursing studies. She was just a helping hand and not a trained worker, who came here at the call of her parents. She was paid only Rs 250 per day.Gopal Thapa (18), another labourer, reached the same farm in Himachal Pradesh from Seemapur just four days before Sushma arrived. He wanted to save Rs 75,000 to 1 lakh to pay off the loan his family had taken. He also wanted to buy a motorcycle.Gopal, who traveled to Nepal to settle his loan and purchase a new bike (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters) The apple crop in Himachal Pradesh relies heavily on seasonal migrant labourers from Nepal, who come specifically for the season that starts from June and lasts up to October (ranging from 120 to 150 days). However, in recent times, changing weather patterns have been affecting these marginalised labourers who pluck fruits and carry apple loads. They now get work only for 70 to 90 days.Five years ago, the payment was around Rs 350 per day, and the season was long enough to earn a decent income. Now, although the daily wage has increased to Rs 400 to 450, the season has shortened. Productivity has decreased, which has also reduced the availability of work.As a result, Nepalis have been working as labourers in road construction, in dhabas and hotels, or serving as caretakers of houses. These jobs do not provide the same earnings or benefits that work in orchards gives. Despite the reduced activity, pruning, mulching, grass cleaning, fruit plucking, and loading and unloading fruits have to be carried out in the orchards. While machines perform many tasks, there is still a need for workers to operate these machines.When a Nepali family migrates, they often settle in Himachal Pradesh and visit Nepal only once a year. Tilak Raj (54) from Kirtipur village in Kathmandu district is one such person. A trained carpenter settled in Rohru, he has worked across the state for almost two decades. Raj came to India at the age of 14, initially working in a Delhi eatery, before learning carpentry from a fellow Nepali migrant.  Raj has noticed significant changes in the weather, with temperatures now much warmer than a decade ago. He has worked in many apple orchards, including those in Theog, Rampur, and Kinnaur. He recalled that in the past, snowfall would touch 3 to 5 ft. There was a time when they would load all the apple cartons on their backs. However, times have changed; although facilities have improved, the amount of fruit availability has decreased.Despite their contributions to the local economy, Tilak and other Nepali migrants lack social security benefits such as ration cards and health insurance. He lost his first wife when she fell off a tree while working in an orchard. He was unable to provide proper medical treatment and the state or Central government made no such facility available. Dropped fruit due to failed fruit season (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Threat of climate changeAccording to the monthly weather report of India Meteorological Department, Shimla, this July received deficient rainfall, which was the lowest in 106 years. The highest rainfall in July for the period 1901-2024 was received in 1949 (548.6 mm). This shift in climatic conditions has severely impacted the fruit production and month of the season.On the other hand, June was unusually dry, with very little overall rainfall compared to a normal year. The monsoon was not as active as it should have been, with only a couple of days of significant rain across the state. This June had the 105th lowest amount of rainfall in Himachal Pradesh since records began in 1901. The highest rainfall ever recorded in June was 252.7 mm back in 1971.  The state government has also accepted the change in climate and its impact on the apple crop. In the Economic Survey of Himachal Pradesh, 2023-24, the  government mentioned: “The fluctuations in the production of apples during the last few years have attracted the attention of the government. The state is trying to explore and harness the vast horticulture potential of the hill state through diversified horticulture production in varied agro-ecological zones. The area under temperate fruits other than apples has increased.”Currently, approximately 234 lakh hectares of land in the state are dedicated to horticulture, generating an average annual income of around Rs 5,000 crore. This sector provides direct and indirect employment to an impressive nine lakh people, highlighting its significance as a major source of livelihood. Horticulture occupies 26% of the state's total agricultural area (8, 91,926 hectares) and contributes 22% to the value of agricultural produce. In the 2022-23 period, the value of agricultural crops, including vegetables, was Rs 16,076 crore, while horticultural crops contributed Rs 4,476.64 crore.Free of cost space given to Sheetal Devi and her family in the farm (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Struggle for better incomeSheetal Devi (26) arrived in Himachal Pradesh four years ago. She initially worked in tomato farms, before settling in one of the orchards in Matyana, about 45 km from Shimla. This year, she could not work as she had recently delivered a baby. Her husband also could not leave due to their young daughter needing care. “We used to earn more by working in orchards compared to tomato farms. Now, with no rainfall from April to June, we are struggling to grow any crop,” Devi said.Prem Kumar (40) and his wife Nirmala Devi (30) from Jajarkot district of Nepal came to Himachal Pradesh eight years ago. He worked hard and saved enough money to purchase land in Nepal, but now things are changing. Kumar noted that lack of snowfall has reduced the chilling period, which is crucial for apple production.“In addition to apples, we also grow vegetables on the piece of land provided by the land owner. This year, water shortage and extreme heat destroyed the entire crop. We were unable to spray the crops in time, which further damaged them. We could not sell cauliflower from the land we got for cultivation free of cost from the landowner because the crop was  destroyed due to lack of water and extreme heat,” Kumar said.Kumar's success and his ability to buy land in Nepal influenced his brother-in-law Dhani Ram to come and work in Himachal Pradesh. Ram said that although they owned land in Nepal, there was no proper mechanism to bring crops to market, and the rates were very low. “Here, if we earn Rs 100, it can become Rs 159 in Nepal — a significant difference,” he said, though he is disappointed due to the poor season.Lata Devi, a farmer with nearly two decades of experience employing Nepali workers, reflected on the challenges and importance of these workers. “We pay them Rs 400 to 500, depending on the work. However, women are paid Rs 50 less than the daily wage,” she said.To retain labourers, she ensures that they are treated with utmost love and care; otherwise, they tend to leave. In addition to their wages, she provides them with a plot of land to grow vegetables or anything else, accommodation and sometimes a cow as well, without taking any share from their produce. Typically, she hires six to seven Nepali workers during good seasons. However, this year's poor crop meant that she can only afford one or two extra hands. Regarding climate change, Lata takes a fatalistic view, attributing agricultural outcomes to divine will rather than human influence.Sushma, a young migrant who traveled to pay her school fee (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Challenges in apple productionThe data from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the CEIC database report the fluctuations in apple production in Himachal Pradesh. In 2024, apple production in Himachal Pradesh was 580.296 thousand tonnes, down from 672.343 thousand tonnes in 2023. Over the past decade, apple production in the state has averaged around 580.296 thousand tonnes annually. The highest production level was recorded at 777.126 thousand tonnes in 2016, while the lowest was 275.036 thousand tonnes in 2012.  Dr DP Sharma, Dean, Horticulture and Forestry College, Hamirpur, under the YS Parmar University, explained the critical climatic conditions necessary for apple fruit growth. “Due to insufficient snowfall, fruits do not complete their necessary chilling period, affecting flowering. Later, extreme heat, due to no rainfall and forest fires, also contribute to warming the temperature. This year, temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius hampered fruit setting and growth. Apple growth stops if the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celsius, and the size of the fruit is crucial for market value. This season, prolonged dry spells and extreme heat have stunted fruit growth, reducing yields and causing premature fruit drop as well,” said the fruit expert.However, there is hope for higher regions where fruits ripen a little later. “Where production happens in July, it will be severely affected,” said Dr Sharma, while mentioning that the university is trying and experimenting with other varieties that can survive in the current climatic situation.Sushant Verma, a young entrepreneur, finds it challenging to cope with the effects of climate change. He is searching for early varieties of apples or varieties that can withstand higher temperatures and require less water.Regulatory mechanismA former state president of Mool Pravah Akhil Bharat Nepal Ekta Samaj, Jagraj Gharti highlighted the sector's lack of regulation. He said they have been advocating since 2004 for police verification of workers, a measure resisted by locals fearing liabilities. “Each year, between 10,000 and 15,000 Nepalis arrive for the season, employed under contractors or in manual labour roles such as fruit plucking and carrying. This year, reduced production levels meant a shorter season, which meant work for a limited period only with daily wages set at Rs 500 for men and Rs 400 to Rs 450 for women.”According to Gharti, workers are sometimes made to work without payment, and at other times, they are hired for as little as ₹350 a day, or just in the name of  food and shelter without money. For the Nepalese, migrating to India is convenient as it does not require expensive air travel, passports or visas. There are no official restrictions for Nepalese to work in India. However, the downside is that there is no official body to ensure their well-being.Edited by Rekha PulinnoliCover Photo - Nirmala Devi working in the apple farm (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)

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Nepali migrant workers in apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh face the heat of climate change

 28 Aug, 2023

How caste is compounding Malana's garbage crisis

Experts say that the surging influx of tourists coupled with the village’s unique social and cultural practices have hindered effective waste management initiatives.Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: Nestled amid the picturesque landscape of the Himalayas, Malana village is well-known for many reasons, the primary of which is the premium hashish that is produced here, nicknamed ‘Malana Cream’. It is also famous for its indigenous democratic system and rather infamous for how the natives perceive outsiders — as 'unclean' and untouchable. The hamlet in Himachal Pradesh draws around 15,000 to 20,000 tourists every year during the peak season in April-June and September-October.This mountain village is now grappling with a mounting garbage crisis which is marring the natural beauty. Piles of garbage welcome you as you enter the village, and along the way, the shiny wrappers of chips and chocolates are littered until even the remotest parts of the village.Experts say that the surging influx of tourists coupled with the village’s unique social and cultural practices have hindered effective waste management initiatives.According to Pradeep Sangwan, founder of Healing Himalayas – which conducted a clean-up drive in the village in 2019 — the social fabric of the village impeded their campaign since the locals of the area identify themselves as descendants of Aryans, upper caste and refused to participate. The village is overwhelmingly homogenous with only 28 out of the 1,722 people in the village identifying as Schedule Caste, according to the 2011 Census. Sangwan tells of his experience in other villages while conducting a cleanliness drive. "In other areas like Kaza town and Chitkul village, we always received strong support from the local panchayat and the community — especially from the younger generation and educational institutions. In many villages, residents themselves also volunteered to collect the trash," he says. This is in stark contrast to how the population reacted to the drive in Malana. “Residents were not willing to clean their surroundings. We even obtained permission from the temple committee but they refused to participate due to their high social status. Some even said that they were willing to pay as much as required but they would not participate in any cleanliness drive. This was very discouraging for the volunteers,” Sangwan tells 101Reporters, adding that the organisation has not organised any other cleanliness drives in the village since then.Traditional beliefs not aligned with modern waste management methods“The villagers consider themselves special and sacred, leading them to believe that they cannot fully integrate with the general population. The local customs dictate that outsiders cannot touch Malanis, their temple or sacred platform,” explains Vijay Kumar (42), who plies his taxi between Jari to Malana village entry point.“The people of Malana believe that participating in such communal efforts may potentially expose them to individuals from lower castes — and fear that this could incur the wrath of their deity Jamlu Devta. This fear, in turn, reinforces the practice of untouchability, further segregating them from others and isolating the village from participating in broader initiatives aimed at maintaining cleanliness and hygiene,” Vijay says. Raju Thakur (55), the Malana sarpanch agrees that the “upper caste status” of the residents makes them hesitant to pick up garbage. “If outsiders are not allowed to touch us, how can we touch their garbage?” he remarks. When asked about whether the panchayat has initiated any community-led cleanup drive in the past, he evaded the question citing lack of funds as an excuse.Swaru Thakur (82), one of the oldest residents of the village, blames “outsiders” for dirtying their surroundings, saying that the tourists bring their trash and dump it in the village area. (Left) Swaru Thakur, a resident of Malana village; (Right)Raju, the Pradhan of the village (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Miscommunication leading to plastic pileupThakur’s statement is not without merit. A spot near a water stream cutting across the village has a mound of plastic bottles, courtesy of the tourists. According to Sharwan, a café owner, all of this is due to a misunderstanding. “The locals have a belief that water flowing through this stream is scared to Jamlu Devta. No outsider has to be allowed to cross the stream with ‘outside’ water, and therefore the tourists are asked to empty their water bottles before proceeding further. However, due to a language barrier tourists often misinterpret the villagers’ intention thinking that they should discard their bottles, which is leading to a significant buildup of plastic waste there,” he tells 101Reporters.“The villagers hold the belief that any negative energy or evil brought by tourists will be washed away when they drink from the stream,” he adds.No attempt has been made by the residents or panchayat to find an alternative to check the miscommunication. Also, interestingly, the village has fines for several petty offences — like touching a person, their religious spaces and temples, their water bodies or homes. The fines range from Rs 500 to Rs 50,000, depending on the severity of the offence however, there is no fine for littering.According to the sarpanch, sometimes the locals get together to hire a ragpicker from the Jari hamlet who collects some of the plastic bottles in the area, while some are washed away in the river flow. “A few years ago, dustbins were installed along the tracks of the village by the officials from the Malana hydro project. However, soon after some of them were stolen and others broken,” he adds.The villagers also say that their households don’t generate as much waste. “Whatever little is generated is burnt in tandoors that are present in every house. Sometimes children litter the surroundings with chips, toffee wrappers,” the sarpanch says. It is important to note that the practice of open burning of waste is harmful to the environment and public health, as it releases toxic pollutants and contributes to air pollution. Many Indian cities and states have regulations and guidelines in place that prohibit or restrict the burning of waste, including kitchen waste, says Khwaish Gupta of Waste Warriors, an organisation that helps set up waste management systems in the Himalayan Region.Gupta explains that over the years, consumption patterns in rural landscapes have undergone drastic changes and the setting up of waste management structures hasn't kept pace with the same. “They are also consuming packaged goods which are disposed of carelessly. The problems are the same in other villages, which may be compounded by the unique social traditions of this village. But it remains that there is a lack of awareness among the locals and long-term interventions at the local level,” she adds. She continues, "It takes continuous engagement with communities, especially as isolated as those in Malana, to get people to acknowledge a problem and co-create a solution. Due to the intersectionality of the issue — the 'dirty' and taboo topic of waste converging with the lived reality of the caste system — gradual work over several years is needed to build trust with the locals, identify potential changemakers from within the community, capacitate them with the right knowledge bank and skills, and finally culminate it into on-ground action."A sign indicating penalty for touching the temple (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)Spilling outThe unsegregated solid waste is not only hampering the beauty of the village but also plaguing its only water source. Most of the garbage is dumped at the entrance of the village near Malana Nala. “In certain areas, the river has completely changed its flow due to the garbage heaps,” says the sole ASHA worker of the village Nirmal Devi. No official study or testing has been done regarding the contamination of water in the area.The deputy commissioner of Kullu Ashutosh Garg expressed concern over the garbage crisis in the Malana village. “The administration has attempted numerous clean-up drives with NGOs and school children in the past but received no support from the village. No one came forward to participate." The official adds that there is a glimmer of hope as some of the youth of the village have started leaving to pursue higher education, signalling a gradual shift in mindset and possible progress in future.Edited by Tanya ShrivastavaCover Photo - Littering causing contamination of water bodies (Photo - Rachna Verma, 101Reporters)

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How caste is compounding Malana's garbage crisis

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