forging bonds

that last
T
he Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), the corporate so-
cial responsibility arm of Ambuja Cements Ltd (ACL),
facilitates the holistic development of ACL’s neighbouring
communities in line with its mission, ‘Energise, involve and en-
able communities to realise their potential’. Engaged in a variety
of people-centric, integrated rural development projects with local
communities surrounding Ambuja’s manufacturing sites, ACL be-
lieves that development can be sustainable only when communities
living in the area are encouraged to participate. The Foundation
has made its presence felt in 12 states across the country where it
is involved in programmes like Natural Resource Management,
Agro and skill-based livelihoods as well as improving health and
education. ACF has been working in Himachal Pradesh for many
years where its approach of participatory rural development has
proved very successful.
 For the People, by the People
W hen the Ambuja Cement Foundation began work in Darlaghat and Solan in
Himachal Pradesh, there was no development or government intervention. The
region, primarily dependent on agriculture, faced dry spells resulting in the depletion
of the water table, improper recharge, and drought conditions as there were no water
catchment systems in place. ACF’s watershed projects thus provide a solution for water
harvesting, surface run-off control, a depleting water table, soil erosion, inadequate
pastureland for the livestock and so on. “Land and water management were given top
priority in order to ensure the sustainable development of natural resources. The wa-
tershed development approach involves the conservation, protection, and development
of resources with the active participation of the local community,” explained Jagdamba
Prasad Tripathi, Area Programme Manager, ACF.

The projects that are being carried out by ACF in collaboration with the Nation-
al Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, (NABARD) have seen the creation of
several livelihood related interventions, both agricultural and non-agricultural, to create
income generation options and harvest water.

The Watershed Way: A series of contour bunds act as barriers that reduce the amount
and velocity of the water runoff flowing down a slope. So far 5,558 contour bunds have
been completed. A total 1,310 outlets have been built as the damage of terrace risers
poses serious problems in the agricultural development of the area. The plantation of
local species on waste land fulfils the needs of the community in terms of fuel, minor
fruits, fodder and timber. A total of 24,775 plantations have been completed so far.
Dryland horticulture not only utilises unproductive land for income generation but
also ensures soil and moisture conservation. So far a total of 23,137 plantations have
been completed.

Drainage line treatments are put in place to develop water resources for the
region, moderate floods and harvest runoff water. The water is then stored and recy-
cled through various water conservation structures. Gabions check the surface runoff
flowing through gullies and streams, thereby controlling gully erosion and delaying the
discharge. A total of 947 such structures have been constructed. A Khal collects water
for the upper catchment. A total of 20 structures have been completed so far.

Entrapped water in check

Check dams are small barriers built across the direction of water flow on shallow
dams is primarily intend-
rivers and streams for the purpose of water harvesting. The water entrapped by the dam, ed for use in irrigation but
surface and subsurface, is primarily intended for use in irrigation during the monsoon can also be used for live-
and later during the dry season, but can also be used for livestock and domestic needs. stock and domestic needs

10 AMBUJA CEMENT JL LAKSHMI CEMENT 97

 A cadre of trained, village-
based women health
workers, known as Sakhis
provide basic clinical needs
and serve as the backbone
of ACF’s health initiative
132 UNICHARM INDIA
Supporting the Community
Skills Training: The Institute for Skill and Entrepreneurship Development in Darlaghat
is jointly promoted by ACF and Punjab National Bank and is co-sponsored by NA-
BARD. This is ACF’s primary intervention in livelihoods for village youth. Courses
on various trades and soft skills - car mechanics, electrician’s training, hosiery, beauty,
cutting and tailoring, an advanced computer course - build skills to make the youth
economically independent. The Institute has been registered as a vocational training
provider under the skill development initiative scheme and the curriculum, made avail-
able by DGET, is modified and customised as per the requirement of the trades. Of
the 2,708 youth that have been trained so far, there is a 92% rate of employment and
self-employment. The total number of students at present are159.
Women’s Empowerment: Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy is based on agriculture
and livestock. Traditionally women were engaged in animal husbandry but due to many
reasons including poor fodder management, the milk-yielding capacity of cattle was
reduced and thus their family livelihoods were affected. Seeing their plight, ACF started
training local women (Pashuswasthya Sevikas) volunteers in livestock management. The
Pashuswasthya Sevika (PSS) programme was started in 2007 in a few villages around
Darlaghat. Starting with 15 PSS in 15 villages, the programme has now expanded to
22 villages with 23 PSS. Women volunteers have been given an animal health card and
provided with kits consisting of various medicines. Their role is to impart hands-on
training in a variety of health and hygiene treatments for cattle. Refresher training is
conducted jointly with Himachal Pradesh’s Animal Husbandry Department every year.
Health Initiatives: ACF implements a holistic intervention addressing the general and
special health needs of communities. Some locations provide clinical services as part
of the intervention strategy. These services are provided on location through a cadre of
trained, village-based women health workers, known as Sakhis who provide basic coun-
selling and guidance, refer for specialised medical intervention (if needed), and serve as
the backbone of ACF’s programme. A Sakhi becomes instrumental in mobilising the
village and panchayat, leading people to take charge of their lives by being proactive in
getting due development in place, strengthening health services available at the local
level and inspiring and helping people to demand quality health services.
Supporting Education: ACF’s education programme reaches out to the most margin-
alised groups of children and provides them with a chance for holistic education. In
Himachal ACF supports 31 government primary schools and 16 middle schools to
ensure quality in education and to improve the conditions of government schools. ACF
also organises Balmelas and summer camps for students every year n
AMBUJA CEMENT 13
 ACF’s watershed initiative
has helped in conserving,
protecting, and developing
village and community re-
sources

Village tanks have been constructed to increase the availability of water

eye witness
Health: The Foundation has a sustainable method of ensuring 24/7 health services in
the village by training village women (Sakhis) in preventive, promotive and clinical care.
These women have worked tirelessly to create awareness on basic health issues and also
provide for basic clinical needs. Said Neelam Thakur, one of the Sakhi volunteers at
Nauna village, “I was selected from the village and was trained for 15 days in Darlaghat
on how to mobilise first-aid. We visit panchayats and schools on a regular basis. Clinical
intervention is complemented by the efforts of Sakhis in ante and post-natal care that
are important parts of our health ecosystem.”

Watershed Projects: Farmers and locals in the villages were all praise about the projects
undertaken by the Ambuja Cement Foundation. Said Bhupinder, a farmer from Pati
village, “Check dams have really made our life easier. We can grow multiple crops at the
same time. We are now not solely dependent on rainfall. We can grow garlic, ginger,
turmeric, tomatoes, cauliflower, rice and many other crops all year round.”

Mansa Ram from Furwana village spoke at length about how ACF’s watershed
initiative had helped in conserving, protecting, and developing village and community
resources, “Last year we cultivated our crops in excellent numbers. We grew pumpkins,
cucumbers, gourd, peas and rice which we sold in the market and earned very good
money. We thank Ambuja Cement Foundation.”

96 JL LAKSHMI CEMENT AMBUJA CEMENT 15