Results over the years from 2013-2018
Introduction
Gram Disha is a rural rejuvenation initiative of the Muskaan Jaivik Self Help Group (SHG) located in the Pangna Valley in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. The SHG is a collective of small and marginal mid-himalayan farmers and craftspersons working toward recognising, restoring and preserving all the craft and culture of the mid-himalayan region. Foremost of the this culture is agriculture, which is being restored through agro-ecological methods including organic farming systems. The group is one of the first PGS certified groups of Himachal Pradesh by the National Center of Organic farming (NCOF). It also works with all crafts persons who are in allied livelihood craft associated with agriculture such as blacksmiths, potters, weavers and masons etc. The SHG is also building a model farm, farmers center and craft areas for demonstrating and preserving the traditional knowledge systems of the mountains. All building systems are based on low cost, high impact earth building materials and craft using in-situ available material to a very high degree. This internship call is for study and documentation of rural craft and building systems of a Community Kitchen and Animal Shed (for Horses) at the farmer’s center. The group is not supported by any NGO or government system. The farmers and craftspeople of the village support the SHG themselves.
Location
The farm is located in Village Baag, VPO and Sub-tehsil Pangna, Distt. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. It is about 100km north west of Shimla on SH-13. The google maps location of the farm is found at – https://goo.gl/YHeAou. The farm lies next to the Pangna river which is a perennial stream tributary of the major river Sutlej. The Pangna valley is a hidden getaway sheltered by the tallest mountain peak of District Mandi, The Shikari Devi Peak. It has many trails and treks through the entire Shikari Devi Sanctuary and offers a beautiful and adventurous stay.
Existing Building System
The farm has an existing farmers center and a sustainable toilet and bathroom system. All the building systems are built using in-situ stone masonry with coarse mud mortar. Wall surfaces are mud plastered with traditional techniques. The farmer’s center is a dodecahedron hall with a brick coursed shell/dome roofing without any internal column. The inner hall is built as a stupa with the highest vertex of the dome sun roof at 24 ft from floor level. The shell rests on a ring beam perimetered to the walls. The toilet roofing is traditional wooden truss with slate for water proofing. The toilet is a twin-soak pit system with a typical Y-Junction adjusted for alternate use of pits for every 3 years. The pan is a non-conventional rural pan for reduced water for flushing. Credits to Sulabh International for assisting the farmers with the design and pan provisioning.
Addition structures planned for the center are:
1. Community Kitchen using rammed earth walls and traditional roofing
2. Animal Shed keeping in mind the requirement for horses – also in rammed earth system
3. Step well – traditional step welling system based on dry stone masonry
4. Separate Craft training centers for blacksmithery, pottery, weaving, stone masonry and carpentry etc. – building system undecided, but will take into account sensitivities of craftspersons and have them lead the initiative.
The buildings are being built by community which has master masons, mortar specialist and carpenters from the rural areas. Tools and ancillary support system is also provided by local blacksmiths when required. The use of modern material such as cement, RCC or steel in the entire system is targeted to be under 10% of the total area or eliminated altogether.
Call for Internship (Maximum 4 internships)
This is a call for non-intrusive internship for observing and documenting of the existing and upcoming building systems at the center. The internship is not free but paid to support the SHG and livelihood of small farmers. There is no cost towards the internship, however, interns are expected to pay for food and accommodation. The SHG runs a voluntary farm stay with basic vegetarian food (himachali cuisine) and rural hospitality. The daily amount requested is Rs. 450/- for entire food per day and accommodation in the village with basic amenities. Those who can afford to pay are requested to pay as per capacity over and above the requested amount. The center has open shared arrangement for sleeping and the farm is open for camp pitching as well. There are nearby guest houses in a 2km radius of the village with modern amenities and hot running water, however costs for the guest house is extra. No travel costs are covered by the group and interns are expected to manage their own travel to and from location.
Who should participate
Anyone with a passion for sustainable earth building systems and a large heart to assist the rural community trying to build their own mechanisms without any external assistance or support from any NGO or government. Architects, Building System experts, Designers and Civil Engineers may find the process interesting to engage with.
Duration of the Internship
It is expected that the construction of the community kitchen and animal shed shall take between 15 days to 1 month. The interns are free to arrive and leave within this duration. Interns committing to stay for the entire month can expect their costs to be subsidized based on the decision of the village community.
Expectations
The interns are expected to respect the rural craft, conservatism and culture. Towards the internship, it is expected that the documentation of requirements, technique and finishing are done and handed over the group. Credits for the documentation may be retained by the intern in an open source method. The interns are welcome to offer suggestions however respect the final decision of the community in the construction matters. Thus the internship is non-intrusive. The group is friendly, kind and promises an unforgettable himachali rural hospitality experience.
Exceptions
For deserving interns who cannot afford the costs, the village community may subsidize the costs provided the intern spends the whole duration and assist the community in construction and building systems. For this please send a one page note detailing “How can you assist the village group in sustainable building systems and the skill sets you possess”. It is expected that such candidates will answer the call of the village members in future as well, not as a liability but as a friend!
Contact
For further details please send an email to himachalse@gmail.com
Impressions
For Pdf click here.
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