Other activities

a) Networking with NGOs
Dharamitra has developed a close linkage with selected grass root level NGOs in Vidarbha and formed an informal network called the Vidarbha Science Forum for Rural Development (VISFORD). It is a group of about 20 NGOs located in different parts of Vidarbha. Dharamitra is helping these small groups, which have developed a good rapport with the rural people to identify the local problems requiring science and technology interventions and providing proper technical support for solving these problems. Dharamitra has also been rendering a technical support to grass root level NGOs in the adjoining states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

b) Sustainable Agriculture Movement in Vidarbha

With the help of like-minded NGOs and individuals, Dharamitra has initiated a 'Sustainable Agriculture Movement in Vidarbha'. It has developed a close liaison with practicing organic farmers and it inspires them to switch over to this system of agriculture. It is also trying to develop Producer-Consumer Linkages to arrange for the sale of surplus organic food.
It has undertaken a task of educating rural and urban consumers about the health hazards associated with chemical farming and chemically grown foods while making them aware of the attributes of organically grown food.

c) Watershed Management & People’s Participation

Govt. of Maharashtra has recognized Dharamitra as a ‘Mother NGO in Watershed Management’ by entrusting it a responsibility of training the staff of participatory watershed agencies, monitoring the programme being implemented by them and evaluation of the programme executed. Dharamitra has been assigned such task for three districts in Maharashtra, namely Akola, Amravati and Washim. Dharamitra’s technical intervention is aimed at improving quality of watershed programme being implemented in these districts.
Dharamitra is also a part of participatory minor irrigation programme being implemented on pilot basis in 6 districts of Maharashtra launched by Govt. of Maharashtra. Under this programme, Dharamitra has to motivate the beneficiaries to bear the cost of canals and water distributaries, build their capacity to technically and socially monitor the quality of construction work and apprise them of judicious and equitable water use once it is made available to them. Presently, the programme is implemented under the guidance of Dharamitra in Buldhana and Yeotmal districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

d) Environmental Awareness

Through all its rural programmes, Dharamitra has been stressing upon conservation of natural resources and their role in building up the livelihood base. Special attention is being paid to soil and water conservation issues, greening of land through tree cover and introduction of bio-diversified systems in farming.

e) Campaign amongst children

A special programme is being run for creating awareness among school children about the hazardous effects of improper management of garbage and appropriate eco-friendly measures for its productive use. Through the assistance of NCSTC, New Delhi, a promotional package has been developed, which is being used in a nationwide programme launched to develop a cadre of resource persons for initiating participatory activities for school children on this subject. Another resource package has also been developed on ‘The life of Social Insects’ which is presently being tested under a pilot project at two locations in the country.