“All you need do, is be content with what you’ve got, to be always craving more, is a demon’s lot.” ― Amitav Ghosh, Jungle Nama
“Jungle Nama” by Amitav Ghosh is a captivating verse adaptation of a Bengali folktale from the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest shared between India and Bangladesh. Written in a lyrical, rhythmic style, and illustrated by Salman Toor, the book tells the story of “Bon Bibi,” a benovelent goddess of the Sundarbans who safeguards the jungle and its people, and her conflict with Dokkhin Rai, a powerful demon-like figure who seeks to exploit the forest’s riches.
Ghosh’s decision to render this ancient tale in verse brings a unique musicality to the story, echoing the cadence of oral storytelling introducing music to current speech that has kept the folktale alive for generations. His prose is imbued with both reverence for the source material and a contemporary sensibility that makes the story accessible to a modern audience. Accompanying the text are hauntingly beautiful illustrations by artist Salman Toor, whose work enhances the mystical and otherworldly atmosphere of the Sundarbans and its lore.
Beyond its enchanting style, Jungle Nama explores timeless themes of balance between nature and humanity, the perils of human greed, and the importance of respecting natural boundaries. Ghosh subtly draws parallels to modern issues like climate change and environmental degradation, suggesting that the ancient wisdom in the Bon Bibi story holds valuable lessons for today’s world. Through Bon Bibi’s character, he raises questions about stewardship, sustainability, and the price of human ambition.
The book is more than a poetic retelling; it’s an immersive experience that connects readers to both nature and folklore. Ghosh’s evocative language and Toor’s illustrations work in harmony to capture the spirit of the Sundarbans and its lore, making this book a visually and intellectually rich addition to Ghosh’s body of work. The poem-like style of the book follows twelve syllables in each line, and each couplet has twenty-four syllables. After each line there is a natural pause or a caesura, replicating the cadence of the original legend.
This book by one of my all-time favourite authors is a mesmerizing read for anyone interested in myth, poetry, linguistic hybridity, and environment, offering a rare glimpse into a world where nature and spirituality are deeply intertwined.
India has huge natural bamboo stocks that have been an integral part of Indian culture for many millennia. Bamboo in many ways is the mainstay of the rural Indian economy, sparking considerable social and ecological spin-offs. In the early part of the century, large tracts of bamboo occurred in many parts of the country but were treated by the forestry sector (which was then cast in a production forestry mode) as a weed of little economic value and was used mostly by the rural communities for crafts, making implements and as housing material. It was the discovery of bamboo as a source of long-fiber by the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun that started the process of using bamboo in a variety of industrial applications, so far unexplored, with several paper mills and rayon mills being set up. But in the absence of a clear policy there was rapid degradation and decimation of the resource in much of the country. Bamboo resources plummeted so alarmingly that at present the resource is limited to few pockets in the country. Two-thirds of the bamboo in the country is restricted to the North-Eastern Region (NER) while the remaining one-third is spread across the country.
But there is hope for the resurgence of bamboo, and this is based on evidence of significant new and contemporary economic opportunities that have emerged over the past decades. A bamboo revolution that holds the potential of reversing economic downturns and ensuring profitability, is very much possible. Bamboo is an untapped avenue of economic growth, and a burgeoning bamboo sector can rope in prosperity, profits, and sustainable livelihoods.
Despite the severe degradation of the resource in the past, India still has a considerable growing stock of bamboo, and comparative annual harvest figures[1] still place India at the top of the global league. It is important to realize the considerable latent potential that bamboo has to contribute to economic growth, poverty alleviation, generating employment, rehabilitating vast tracts of degraded land generated due to past agricultural and industrial practices and policies, and revitalizing the social, economic and ecological well-being of rural economies.
In line with this, goals should be aimed at focusing on recovering the resources lost to the rural poor as it has been a natural capital that has helped them to keep their economies afloat even in times of significant cash crunches. Attempts should be made to replenish bamboo stocks, make it economically beneficial to rural communities in a way that it provides them opportunities to earn a sustainable income and improve their standard of living. Efforts should also be made to increase the economic opportunity from the use of bamboo as an industrial raw material, to raise employment opportunities (especially for the educated and unemployed rural youth), and to rehabilitate the degraded lands across the country (making available and productive a natural resource which is increasingly becoming scarce and expensive).
Over the years a variety of strategies have been developed to reduce the poverty of rural and rurban population through small enterprise development, based on various forest produce. In rural areas, the poor are overwhelmingly dependent on natural resources and in most cases, it is the only capital they possess. They have little power or ability to climb out of poverty. They are not only financially poor, but also opportunity-and knowledge-poor. In this respect, bamboo is one of the few natural resources that could provide a lifeline to sagging rural economies and help integrate them into the market economy. As bamboo is not one commodity but the fountainhead of many products, it could open up a number of markets simultaneously for the rural poor with the added advantage of being a low-risk option.
The bamboo sector also forges personal links with the rural community, allowing them to participate closely in production processes and directly access profits through value addition as compared to other industrialized processes. As the sector is dependent to a large extent on manual labour, it demands many hands to contribute to the cultivation, harvesting, preservation and value-added manufacturing processes. The upshot is that it provides livelihood options in varying activities to a large number of rural workers. This is the main reason why developing countries find it more viable to be involved with the sector whereas developed countries prefer becoming consumptive markets for these very products. Women in particular stand to gain from this sector as they secure means of livelihood due to their dexterity with the material and their ability to shape it into products and more important, they gain from the flexible work hours this sector affords. Bamboo can thus break marginalization through empowerment and also bridge gender divides.
Employment generation and livelihood creation are enabled through strong backward integration of bamboo production and processing. Though tree-like in stature, bamboo is best grown and managed like an agricultural crop or managed as such within the forest. This needs labour input, which calls for significant people involvement. Again, volume production in bamboo is achieved through a large number of unit poles, unlike timber where one large log provides a substantial quantity of wood. But on the other hand, the lightweight poles enable people participation in its transport. Furthermore, the easy linear splitting ability of bamboo, quite unlike that of wood, enables primary processing for a final industrial product to be undertaken by the rural community. The above properties lay the economic basis for definite win-win community-industry partnerships in bamboo, with the bamboo being managed or grown, and primary processing undertaken by communities in rural areas.
Experience has shown natural resources can be harvested sustainably if people stand to benefit from it. The development of bamboo as a cash crop will result in the conservation and protection of the existing resource, and the scaling up of cultivation, which would be a natural outcome of the increased cash value of the resource, as against its present low cash to mere-subsistence value. The environmental benefits from the economic development of bamboo can be very significant.
As a resource that can be harvested annually, it could provide a regular supply of construction material to the communities. If the use of wood could be replaced with that of bamboo, it could reverse the process of severe and rapid degradation of forests and forest cover. Bamboo also helps protect soil from erosion, especially in the upland areas. Bamboo should also be strategically grown to reduce or prevent soil cutting from riverbanks, which is perhaps the major cause of siltation of riverbanks, resulting in reduced carrying capacity of rivers and flooding during the peak rainy season.
In last 3-4 decades, intensifying patterns of land and resource utilization, primarily due to pressure from the rapidly increasing population, have caused land and natural resource degradation in many parts of India. Bamboo is an ideal resource for rehabilitation, even in extremely degraded situations such as land used for brick making.
India with its rich potential of bamboo resources has only just started to develop bamboo marketing and trade. However, the significant bamboo resources in India make it ideally placed to benefit from the experience of China and other countries around the globe. Bamboo holds within it the promise of bailing people out from below poverty line levels.
Bamboo finds many uses today in addition to its conventional uses for handicrafts, scaffolding and the paper industry. It can be used as construction material, as a wood substitute and as food, fuel and a filtration medium. Its real contribution to housing lies in the dual role it can play – of providing a cheap and affordable wood alternative to the homeless while at the same time generating livelihood options for those involved with it.
Bamboo can propel economic growth through increased local production and the sale of high-value wood-substitute products, especially in bamboo-rich states. Robust local production of a local natural resource capital like bamboo will lead to the retention and circulation of cash within the state economies itself, rather than the cash flowing out for purchase of goods from outside the state. Export of cash value-added bamboo products to markets outside the bamboo states could enable incremental cash earnings that will add to the economic growth of the state. Asset creation and local consumption can get a fillip from the increased circulation of money within the state economy from local consumption of locally manufactured products. This consumption will be enabled not only by government purchases, but also as a result of the higher disposable incomes that will be generated.
In India, as elsewhere in other developing countries, strong correlative linkages exist between economic growth, rural poverty and the environment. Firstly, the poor are more vulnerable to the health effects of pollution because of their inadequate nutrition, poor access to health care and their unhealthy living environment. Secondly, the poor are affected faster by degradation of natural resources because of their greater reliance on them to meet basic needs. Environmental degradation, in turn, adversely affects the economy’s capacity to grow, because growth relies on the sustainable productivity of natural resources and the health of the population.
It is a vicious circle, which can be broken through a growth solution that is not only income generating for rural communities but also environmentally sound. Bamboo, a natural resource and one that protects the environment, enables the development of industries, which function through a symbiotic linkage between small and large enterprise that significantly benefits the community.
Bamboo is available throughout the country barring the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan (except for some areas). Existing traditional bamboo and cane handicraft products, though not many, could be improved, diversified, produced along industrial assembly lines and converted into value-added products that are already a part of mainstream industry. Value additions could be made to its use in the paper industry and its use in the unorganized scaffolding industry can be doubled. Simultaneously, other mainstream micro and small enterprise products such as matchsticks, pencils, toothpicks, skewer sticks, and blinds, as well as medium-scale industrial panel products that rival wood products, with strong backward community linkages and benefits can be explored. An increase in bamboo products and market opportunities will also result in increases in demand for raw bamboo, besides the production of fresh bamboo shoots and their processed products. There is considerable potential to set up medium and large-scale industries for generating value-added food and wood-substitute products for export markets.
The value-added bamboo industry is ideally placed to adopt that model. Given the right policy atmosphere and thrust, the value-added bamboo industry in India has the potential of reaching a size of USD 2.3 billion (USD 131.5 billion globally) in the next 10 years with a CAGR of 10.3%, employing 11-15 million people in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors[2].
The bamboo industry also fulfils the criteria needed by sectors that aim to achieve double-digit economic growth. Bamboo has a very strong and direct with rural communities, which would allow them to partake directly and in a more significant way to value addition as compared to other industrialized processes. The value-added bamboo industry thus provides an integrated solution that uses an abundant natural resource that protects the environment and can be processed and generated through community-owned enterprises, both small and large.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of any organization, foundation, CSR, non-profit or others
In a twist of fate that seems like it was ripped straight from the pages of a dystopian novel, Planet Earth has decided it’s time for a little payback. And who can blame it? After decades of exploitation, pollution, and blatant disregard for its well-being, the Earth is ready to reclaim its throne. So, buckle up and prepare for the “Revenge of the Planet,” a wild ride through the hilarious and dramatic consequences of our environmental neglect.
The year was 2030, and Earth had been dealing with humanity’s nonsense for centuries: automobile humming, factories puffing, and smartphones buzzing, plastic in the oceans, air full of smog and pollutants, and forests reduced to sad little patches that looked like Mother Nature’s receding hairline. While we humans went about our business, basking in the glow of smartphones and conveniently ignoring every climate report ever written, the planet finally had enough. It was time for some cosmic payback.
First came the heatwaves. When the sun started sizzling eggs on car hoods and air conditioners were breaking down in sheer exhaustion, we should’ve known something was up. Earth wasn’t playing anymore. Then came the incessant rain, cyclones and Hurricanes. Thousands of cities and villages got flooded killing all in their wake: humans, animals, trees, cars, houses, all were game for the planet’s rage. As glaciers melted at a pace faster than your average deadline in an office setting, and wildfires spread like trending tweets, humans start to notice. Our beloved beaches? Now more like lava zones.
As Earth’s revenge gained momentum, the animals began organizing. Rats—usually content with minor mischief like digging up flower beds—became stealth operatives, chewing through power lines and cutting off electricity to entire neighbourhoods. Birds, tired of dodging skyscrapers, formed tactical squadrons to stage mass air raids on unsuspecting pedestrians. Pigeons, already seasoned in the art of airborne attacks and eating through aircon units, took their missions to new heights, dive-bombing with precision accuracy.
Mother Earth had one last ace up her sleeve: technology. Since humans had become so dependent on gadgets, she decided to hit us where it hurt. Phones suddenly started overheating for no reason, GPS systems began suggesting scenic routes through uncharted forests, and voice assistants became strangely passive-aggressive.
“Hey, Siri, what’s the weather today?”
“Why don’t you go outside and find out for yourself, you lazy carbon footprint.”
By the time forests started sprouting overnight and the Arctic ice declared “We’re back!” humanity finally took notice. Governments convened emergency meetings to address the phenomenon, though the politicians were quick to blame each other.
“We need to plant more trees!” one leader shouted.
“But the trees are literally attacking us,” another replied.
Meanwhile, while we sat glued to our screens, watching the chaos unfold, the bees are buzzing in the background. That’s right, our fuzzy little friends are holding clandestine meetings, plotting a revolt. “We’ll stop pollinating crops if they don’t start recycling!” one bee declares, and with that, the price of avocados skyrockets, pushing millennials to the edge of madness. Who knew that eco-awareness could double as a financial crisis?
After a series of failed peace talks with the ocean (which responded with a tsunami every time someone brought up offshore drilling), humans collectively realized: we were in deep compost!
Just as it seemed like Earth would forever reign supreme, a surprising thing happened. Humans finally got their act together. It’s time for a Renaissance! Countries began cooperating—trading carbon offsets instead of insults. Renewable energy became the norm. Plastic was replaced by biodegradable alternatives, and landfills shrank faster than your favourite sweater. People rally together armed with reusable bags and solar panels. Urban gardens sprout up like mushrooms after a rain, while communities bond over composting workshops. It’s a revolution of education, where every child learns how to plant a tree faster than their parents can say, “Remember when we just used to throw things in the landfill?” In the end, Earth called off her revenge, not because she couldn’t win, but because she wanted to see what we’d do next. As for humanity, we learned the hard way that Earth isn’t just a rock floating in space—it’s a vengeful force of nature with a wicked sense of humour. And if we want to stay on its good side, we’d better treat it right.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of any organization, foundation, CSR, non-profit or others
A person requires to possess both ‘can do’ attitude and aptitude for business to start on an entrepreneurial journey. But is that enough? Often an entrepreneur’s success is celebrated as an individual, but seldom the support system in the form of family and friends are discussed due to which the entrepreneur has achieved success. This is irrespective of the nature and size of business, geography, gender and backgrounds of the entrepreneur, and investment that goes in the venture.
While there’s no age to starting a business, the development programs I am working with focuses on women and girls in the age group of 18-50 years from poor and low-income households in the rural areas, with a desire to be self-employed and in future create employment for the youth in their respective villages. Selection processes of such aspiring entrepreneurial women vary depending on the model and approach of the programs. For the conventional businesses existing vocational skills and basic business acumen is analyzed, for others apart from these qualities, level of confidence, ability to invest their time, efforts, and money, general awareness, and other aptitude tests are conducted to measure the eligibility. What remains common across, and I believe is one of the most crucial factors for them to succeed from the word go is the support of their families, which remains the backbone of their ventures during and after the programmatic support. Therefore, post shortlisting of a potential entrepreneurial candidate, family counselling becomes the ultimate decider for her to join the program. And no, it has nothing to do with patriarchy. It’s same for any gender, and I think anywhere in the world. I have been a serial entrepreneur in my past, and have experienced in firsthand that without family support, I could have only done so much.
Family background including the size, type, and economic status can influence entrepreneurs’ and, therefore, entrepreneurship development. Even if the entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t necessarily run in the family, their support plays a vital role in an entrepreneur’s journey. Through their belief, encouragement, constant motivation, and involvement, families provide a nurturing environment for entrepreneurial growth.
In the process of meeting the family at their house in the village and discussing about their current livelihood and income sources, level of education in the household, aspirations and future plans, nature of relationship with the potential entrepreneurial candidate, sharing about the program, and earning their commitment of being the wind beneath the wings of their daughters, daughters-in-law, wife, and in turn building trust is the main agenda of the family counselling. This support is the most important step and measure for induction of an aspiring candidate in our entrepreneurship program. Garnering this support is half the battle won for the aspiring entrepreneur.
The hard work has to be of the entrepreneur, but families give financial assistance and provides the seed capital for the start-up, provides emotional assistance keeping the morale high during those challenging and difficult times that every entrepreneur undergoes, promote the venture in their long curated networks both within and outside their villages through word-of-mouth, volunteer their time at the business to attend to customers and promotion, and more importantly celebrate even the small moments of joy together.
Apart from money and market, family support is the third pillar of the tripod, which drives entrepreneurial success.
If you want to know more about designing rural women entrepreneurship projects and/or learn about family-counselling for rural entrepreneurship, feel free to connect.
(First published on LinkedIn on 6th March 2024)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of any organization, foundation, CSR, non-profit or others
Sustainability has become a buzzword across industries, and for nonprofits in India, it’s more than just a trend—it’s a necessity! Sustainability in the nonprofit sector is a critical issue that encompasses not only environmental stewardship but also financial stability, organizational resilience, and long-term impact. Nonprofits, by their nature, are dedicated to addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, often with limited resources and high expectations. With India’s rapid economic shifts and evolving social landscape, understanding and overcoming these hurdles is essential for nonprofits striving to make a lasting difference.
Key Challenges Facing Nonprofits in India
1. Funding Instability: One of the most significant challenges facing nonprofits is financial instability. Nonprofits rely heavily on donor contributions, government grants, and CSR grants, which can be unpredictable and subject to economic fluctuations. Furthermore, many donors prefer to fund specific projects rather than general operations, leaving nonprofits vulnerable to financial shortfalls. The global economy, changing donor priorities, and a lack of diversified income streams often impact an organization’s ability to plan and execute long-term projects. This gets further compounded by competition among nonprofits for limited resources.
Nonprofits must constantly innovate and demonstrate their impact to attract and retain donors. This requires significant investment in fundraising and partnership strategies, donor relations, and marketing, which are resource-intensive and divert attention from core mission activities, often resulting in chicken-egg situations.
2. Administrative and Operational Inefficiencies: Many nonprofits in India struggle with limited administrative resources and inefficient operational practices. Limited resources lead to outdated technologies, inefficient processes, and a lack of professional expertise. Inefficiencies in management, compliance, accounting, and reporting undermine the effectiveness of programs and reduce transparency, negatively impacting stakeholders and donors’ trust. This is more challenging for smaller organizations with limited administrative capacity.
3. Regulatory and Compliance Maze: Managing the complex regulatory landscape in India is challenging for nonprofits. Compliance with legal requirements, such as the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), requires careful attention to detail and significant administrative effort. Changes in regulations and stringent reporting requirements add to the administrative burden. Staying compliant while adapting to new regulations can strain organizational resources and divert attention from mission-critical activities.
4. Capacity Building and Skill Gaps: The nonprofit sector often faces challenges related to human resources. There is a growing need for skilled professionals who can handle strategic planning, fundraising, and program management, leading to organizational sustainability. The sector often faces challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals due to budget constraints and lower salaries compared to the private sector.
Capacity building requires investing in learning and development for employees. However, many organizations lack the resources to provide comprehensive training programs or to hire experienced professionals. This often limits their ability to effectively manage programs, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure organizational growth.
5. Measuring Impact: Measuring and presenting evidence-backed impact is essential for donor confidence and organizational effectiveness. Nonprofits need to develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the outcomes and effectiveness of their programs. However, many organizations struggle with setting up these systems due to limited resources and expertise.
Strategies for Enhancing Sustainability
1. Diversifying Funding Sources: To address funding instability, nonprofits need to explore multiple revenue streams. This includes engaging in social entrepreneurship and blended finance opportunities, establishing partnerships with businesses, leveraging online crowdfunding platforms, and digital fundraising. Creating a diversified funding base helps in reducing dependency on a single source and enhances financial stability.
2. Leveraging and Embracing Technology: Technology offers significant opportunities for enhancing operational efficiency and reach. Digital tools can streamline administrative processes, improve data management, and facilitate better communication with stakeholders through online platforms and social media. Adopting technology also opens avenues for online fundraising and virtual program delivery such as webinars, workshops, and training.
3. Building Stronger Partnerships: Collaboration with other nonprofits, governmental agencies, and private sector organizations can amplify the impact of initiatives and improve sustainability. Strategic partnerships can provide access to additional resources, expertise, and networks. Strategic alliances can also lead to cost savings through shared services and joint initiatives. By working together, organizations can leverage each other’s strengths, reduce duplication of efforts, and achieve greater impact.
4. Investing in Human Capital: Prioritizing the development of human resources is crucial for organizational growth and sustainability. Nonprofits should invest in training and capacity-building programs for their staff and volunteers through training programs, workshops, and professional development opportunities. Creating a culture of continuous learning and career advancement opportunities can enhance program delivery, improve management practices, organizational resilience, and employee retention. Leadership development is particularly important for long-term sustainability. Cultivating strong leaders within the organization can drive strategic planning, innovation, and effective decision-making.
5. Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: Building trust with stakeholders through transparency and accountability is essential for long-term success. Nonprofits should adopt the best practices in financial management, regularly publish impact reports, and engage in open communication with donors and stakeholders. Transparency not only attracts more funding but also strengthens community support. Implementing robust internal controls and conducting regular audits can help maintain financial integrity and accountability. Additionally, engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes and soliciting feedback can enhance organizational credibility and responsiveness.
6. Adopting Sustainable Practices: Integrating sustainability into program design and organizational operations can drive long-term impact. Nonprofits should consider the environmental impact of their activities and seek to minimize their footprint. This might involve adopting green practices, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and promoting eco-friendly initiatives. Sustainable practices also include ensuring the long-term viability of programs. This involves designing initiatives that can be sustained over time, building local capacity, and fostering community ownership. By promoting sustainability within programs, nonprofits can create a transformative impact.
The road to nonprofit sustainability is full of challenges, but with innovation, partnership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, nonprofits can navigate these challenges and continue to make a meaningful impact on society. As the sector is continuously evolving, embracing sustainability will be key to ensuring that nonprofits can adapt to changing circumstances continue to remain steadfast in their mission, and drive positive social change for years to come.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of any organization, foundation, CSR, non-profit or others
Manu Mayank 