CRESHE is a secular, non-profit voluntary organization working in Andhra Pradesh with the needy and weaker sections of society, to facilitate their development. It engages in activities aimed at improving the living conditions and the economic standards of the poorest of the poor, particularly tribal, scheduled castes, small and marginal farmers, and landless and agricultural laborers. The main emphasis of CRESHE's work is organising people to become aware of their existential condition, so that they take their destinies into their own hands and work to improve their lives. Full participation of the people is an essential part of such development activities to ensure sustenance of the programme and CRESHE withdraws as the people develop. CRESHE is also committed to the development and promotion of alternative and more efficient energy source in rural areas. It is governed by a board of outstanding persons enaged in social work and trade unions.
Contact Information
We are currently working in Andhra Pradesh, India.Taget populations are from rural and semi urbal base villages. Bhadrachalam Mandal constitutes 71 villages inhabited predominantly by Koya tribal community. It is bounded on the north by Dummugudem Mandal and by Godavari River on the east. Bhadrachalam mandal has a total population of 68,677 (1991 census). It is part of the agency area where special tribal protection laws are applicable. The literacy rate among these tribals is 11%. While male literates account for 7.9%, female comprise 3.1% of the total tribal population. Work participation rate among these tribals is 62%, 44% of these in turn are cultivators while rest are wage laborers. Koyas are the second largest tribe in the state and the majority of them are found inhabiting in Khammam district. Koyas belong to the large Gond tribe with influence of Telugu in their dialect. Unlike caste distinctions of Hindu society, Koyas are simple by nature and are engaged in a variety of vocations simultaneously. Every Koya is equally skilled in farming, shifting cultivation, forest produce collection, toddy tapping, carpentry and house building. Their culture and belief systems reflect a strong imprint of nature-man-spirit complex and have eco-friendly practices of livelihood. The traditional village structure and social organization are egalitarian and flexible. The area is rich in forest wealth and the lands are fertile as a result of which they are affected severely by influx of Non-tribals from the plains of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Rural people depend upon biomass fuels, such as firewood, animal waste and crop residues for meeting cooking and heating energy requirements. These fuels are burnt in an inefficient manner in traditional Chulas, causing not only economic loss to the nation but also health problems for women. While the present level of consumption of firewood is considered unsustainable, the burning of animal waste and agricultural residues deprives our soils of much needed organic matter, adversely affecting soil health and agricultural productivity. Fortunately, technologies have been developed indigenously to produce modern biomass fuel, such as biogas from cow dung and other organic wastes and to burn biomass in an efficient manner in improved chulahs. Half a century ago, firewood was so abundant that it would have seemed strange to actually pay for it. People could collect dry sticks almost at their doorsteps. Large shady trees were a normal feature in most of the villages, the spreading banyan or peepal tree being the customary gathering place of the elders. Naturally the species of trees which were part of the village depend on the area, but the banyan, peepal, tamarind, neem are valuable, shady and long-live trees which grow wall in almost any part of our project area villages. To-day it is difficult to find villages with enough shade and enough firewood.
India is the second larget populated country after China. 70% people are living in Rural villages where there is no infrastructure. Hence there is already available market for cooking technologies.
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Relevant Publications or Studies
None noted
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Our organisation would like to particiate in the Partnership through resources sharing and upgrading capcities which is available in the organisation. At the same time we will upgrade our skills.
