ANNUAL REPORT

2024-25

SOCIETY FOR VOLUNTARY APPROACH IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION

Regd. Office:

VARDAN, Lane-3, Badri Kedar Enclave, Inderpur, P.O. Badripur, Dehradun –248005, Uttarakhand

Email –vardanngo@rediffmail.com

Website –www.vardanngo.org

Our Mission

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• H –Health Education and services.
• E –Education and Skill Development.
• L –Livelihood Promotion and Water and Sanitation.
• P –Poverty Alleviation Measures.

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Project Areas of VARDAN

I am truly honored to introduce the Annual Report of VARDAN for the financial year 2024-25. VARDAN moved on with its mission of helping the under privileged sections of the community in hill areas of Uttarakhand state & in Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh Our new initiatives in this year included Aditya Birla Foundation supported UJAAS Program for Promoting Menstrual Health for Women and Girls, while we continued our previous project Farmers First Programme supported by Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Uttarakhand All these projects focus on enhancing livelihood opportunities for the marginal and small farmers in hill areas, improving the health of women and girls and providing safe drinking water to the households in hill areas of Uttarakhand. Efforts are also made to develop adequate infrastructures for minor irrigation, water harvesting and collection centres for the farmers produce

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We are extremely thankful to our Funding Agencies Azim Premji Foundation/APPI, Aditya Birla Foundation and Sri Dinanath Healthcare and Hotels Pvt Ltd Jaipur, WANGAI, Agriculture Department, Tehri Garhwal and Forest Department, Pauri district for their financial support in making our initiatives reach the target community. Our special gratitude to the stakeholders including the PRI members, Volunteers and the Line Departments who helped us to achieve our targets Finally, I would express my heartfelt thanks to the honorable members of the Governing Body of VARDAN who volunteered their support and motivation to all office bearers and project staff in achieving the goals of VARDAN during the current financial year

G.N.S. Gurudatt

Secretary,VARDAN

Sharda Singh

Chairman,VARDAN

INTRODUCTION

G.N.S. Gurudatt

SecretaryVARDAN

Farmers First –Enhancing Livelihood of Marginal Farmers in Tehri Garhwal District (2022-2026)

1. LIVELIHOOD PROMOTION PROGRAMMES

Funded by Azim Premji Philanthropic Foundation (APF), Bengaluru under CSR and Govt of Uttarakhand

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This Initiative aims to improve the Livelihoods of marganilized communities engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Key areas of support include:

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• Promotion of Self Help Groups and Federations of Farmers for strengthening the local community.
• Promoting organic farming methods to ensure zero chemicals use in crops.
• Seeds Preservation and effective crop Management
• Introduction of modern agriculture tools
• Promotion of innovative and sustainable farming practicies
• Construction of minor irrigation structures
• Value addition through the processing of locally grown native crops.

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The Programme is being implemented across 32 Gram Panchayats within the Narendra Nagar and Devprayag Blocks of Tehri Garhwal district, reaching over 3,000 Households.

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Special Focus Areas:

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The project also emphasizes the cultivation of high-value crops, including the production of off-season vegetables and spices. This is facilitated through the use of organic seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to promote environmentally friendly farming practices.

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Key Goals of the Farmers First Project:

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Boosting High-Value Crop Cultivation:

• Encouraging farmers to grow off-season vegetables and spices using organic inputs like eco-friendly seeds, fertilizers, and pest control methods.

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Improving Yields of Traditional Crops:

• Supporting the cultivation of millets, pulses, and oilseeds through better farming techniques, the use of high-yielding seed varieties, and effective crop management.

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Modernizing Farming and Expanding Irrigation:

• Upgrading agricultural practices and developing irrigation systems to increase productivity and generate surplus crops for market sale.

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Supporting Additional Income Sources:

• Helping farmers diversify their incomes through activities like mushroom cultivation, backyard poultry, and growing medicinal and aromatic plants.

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Creating Fodder Banks for Livestock:

• Establishing local fodder reserves to increase availability of cattle feed and ease the physical burden on women in areas where fodder is scarce.

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Establishing Food Forests:

• Developing forested buffer zones near villages to provide food and habitat for wildlife, reducing crop damage caused by wild animals.

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FARMER FIRST POGRAM PHOTOS

1. UJAAS Program For Promoting Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Promotion Initiative Supported by Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) and Implemented by VARDAN

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Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) has extended financial support to VARDAN to implement a comprehensive initiative aimed at promoting menstrual health and hygiene among 5,000 rural women and adolescent girls in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand and Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

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The programme primarily targets marginalized communities, with a special focus on the Muslim and Buxa Tribe populations—groups that often face significant challenges related to health awareness due to low literacy levels and prevailing poverty.

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Key Objectives of the Initiative:

• To enhance knowledge and awareness of menstrual health and hygiene among adolescent girls and women in rural areas.

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• To dispel social myths, taboos, and stigma surrounding menstruation through culturally sensitive education and outreach.

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• To empower women and girls to make informed decisions about their menstrual health and well-being.

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• This initiative represents a critical step toward fostering health equity and dignity for underserved women and girls through community-based education and engagement.

2. HEALTH PROJECTS

�The program is basically implemented through following participatory activities in the community:

1. Community Sessions of Women and Girls – This includes group sessions with the women and girls in the villages. Mode of education is through Flip Charts, Group Discussions and Case Histories.

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2. School Sessions for Girls and Boys – This includes classroom sessions on Menstrual Health for school students in the age group 10-18 years. Some sessions are also conducted for adolescent age boys to educate and motive them for supporting women and girls during the menstrual periods.

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3. Nukkad Nataks – It plays a very important role in disseminating awareness on Menstrual Health among the common rural masses. As the Nataks are performed in open places the participants are from varied demographic groups including women, men, girls and boys.

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4. Capacity Building Workshops for Health Workers, Teachers and Panchayat Members : Workshops are conducted for the local ASHA Workers, Anganwadi Workers and Panchayat Members to enhance their knowledge and understanding on Menstrual Health and Hygiene and further disseminate the same among the target community

5. Distribution of Sanitary Pads to 5000 Women and Girls.

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UJAAS PROGRAM PHOTOS

2. Menstrual Hygiene Programme for Rural Women and Girls (2024–2025)

• Supported by Shri Dinanath Jagdish Prasad Healthcare and Hotels Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur (CSR Initiative)

Menstrual hygiene remains a significant public health concern for women and adolescent girls, especially in the remote and hilly regions of Uttarakhand. Limited awareness regarding the use of sanitary products and restricted access to them in isolated villages continue to pose serious health challenges. According to a field survey conducted by VARDAN, it was observed that a majority of women aged between 35 and 49 years still rely on cloth during menstruation, primarily due to ingrained practices and lack of resources. This often results in an increased incidence of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs).

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Programme Overview

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• In response to these critical challenges, VARDAN, with the financial support of Shri Dinanath Healthcare and Hotels Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has launched a comprehensive Menstrual Hygiene Programme for rural women and girls. The programme is being implemented from 2022 to 2024 in 40 Gram Panchayats across the Narendra Nagar and Devprayag Blocks of Tehri Garhwal District, Uttarakhand.

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Target Beneficiaries:

• Over 5,000 rural women and adolescent girls
• Special focus on married women (35–49 years) and school-going adolescent girls

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Key Components of the Programme:

B) Community-Based Sanitary Pad Distribution System

Each participating village has been provided with a Revolving Fund to enable local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to procure sanitary pads in bulk from markets. The procurement and distribution process is managed through designated Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in each Gram Panchayat. This system ensures timely and consistent availability of sanitary pads to rural women and girls.

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B) Safe Disposal Infrastructure in Schools

• To support school-going girls, Sanitary Pad Incinerators have been installed in 10 Government Inter Colleges within the project area. This initiative promotes the safe and hygienic disposal of used sanitary products, creating a supportive environment for menstrual hygiene management within educational institutions.

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Outcomes:

• Increased awareness and adoption of hygienic menstrual practices among rural women and girls
• Reduced incidence of RTIs caused by unsafe menstrual hygiene
• Strengthened role of local SHGs in addressing community health needs
• Improved school attendance and confidence among adolescent girls through safe sanitation measures

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3. Walnut Plantation Programme for Farmers Income

• The Walnut and Other Nut Fruit Growers Association of India (WANGAI) has launched a focused initiative to promote the plantation and sustainable cultivation of walnut trees in rural village areas. This initiative aims to support smallholder farmers and women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing financial assistance, technical know-how, and long-term support for orchard development.

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• This strategic intervention aligns with WANGAI’s mission to boost the production of nut-based horticulture in India, improve rural livelihoods, and encourage climate-resilient agricultural practices.

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Objectives of the Programme :

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• To promote walnut plantation as a viable source of long-term income for rural farmers
• To enhance the participation of women through SHGs in nut-based agroforestry
• To ensure the sustainable development of nut farming in hilly and semi-hilly regions
• To strengthen local agro-economy through nut production and market linkages

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Walnut Plantation Photos

4. Micro Planning Programme for Van Panchayats

• Funding Agency – Forest Division, Pauri Garhwal
• Beneficiaries – Van Panchayats of Pauri Forest Division

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Key Objectives of the Programme :

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• To orient the Van Panchayats about the Van Panchayt Act, 2005 of Uttarakhand and further Amendments.
• To advocate about he role and responsibilities of Van Vanchayats.
• To prepare the Micro Plans of selected Van Panchayats including the natural and human resources for planning of development activities.
• To develop convergence model of development for the Van Panchayats for income generation activities.
• To aware about Gender Equality, Conflict Resolution, Resource Planning for the Community.

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�Our Funding Partners� in Year 2024- 25

• Azim Premji Foundation (APF)

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• Aditya Birla Foundation (ABET)

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• Forest Department , Uttarakhand

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• Walnut and Other Nut Fruit Growers Association of India (WANGAI)

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• Dinanath Jagdish Prasad Trust, Jaipur