More
treesMore
trees
BOWL has been linked with GNK (the Village Development Centre) since 2001. GNK works with some of the poorest members of rural society organising women’s groups, defending the rights of farm workers and improving the environment. BOWL contributed £660 to GNK for the tree nursery in 2006.
The last few years have seen soaring temperatures and droughts in the north Indian state of Bihar. The water table is sinking so deeper bore wells are needed. Of course it’s not possible to say global climate change is the cause but certainly this is what local people believe they are experiencing. Trees as we know have many environmental benefits so this makes the tree nursery project supported by BOWL all the more important. The nursery run by GNK provides tree seedlings at low cost to local people.
Mrs Putul Devi, the GNK coordinator, has also worked hard to encourage people from villages in the neighbourhood to get together to dig irrigation canals. It’s quite unusual for women in rural Bihar to take such a leading role but Mrs Putul seems to have the respect of village leaders.
GNK has always seen education as vitally important and the group has helped with providing non-formal schooling at primary level for some of the poorest children who are often neglected in state schools. Now there is a new scheme to help ensure girls don’t drop out of education after primary school. This depends on some additional outside funding.
If you are interested in hearing more about the scheme, or belong to a group and would like to have a talk about the work of GNK contact:
Mary Holmes Telephone: 020 8892 3271 Email: justicemh@talk21.com