Resources and Resourcefullness

I have always wanted to go farming, and, I have always had the inclination, land and sufficient ‘material’ means to take it up as a project. But, that is about all….

The fifty odd acres of land in the hilly area of Pune district is parked at an altitude of 2400ft. It is in a remote village named Bope, often pronounced as 'Gope'. There is no motorable access road to Bope. Between July and February, it can be accessed only by a boat. In this sense, the land is difficult for development. But, once on the land, you find it full of ‘wild’ vegetation comprising mainly of Bamboo, Jamul, Amla, Bheda, Anjan, Kinjal, Karvand, Hirad and quite a bit of other varieties of plants. The land has flat patches too.

The environment is full of potential and promise. The resources are in abundance. With an annual rainfall of 2500mm, there is all round greenery even in May. The rich red soil remains moist all through the year. The population is scattered, yet the numbers are enough to sustain the development. Climatically, the area has a clean disease free environment. There is serenity all around. There is no RUSH. All this is indicative of self sufficient and quality life. Yet, something seems to be wrong. The people don’t’ seem to have prospered and they do not look 'happy'. There is a certain lack of enthusiasm, initiative and perhaps ambition. The purpose seems to be missing.

Capitalizing on resources requires resourcefulness which, as I see, may be missing here, and therefore, the doors have not been opened for development despite the knocks at the doors. I am absolutely clueless as to what can make these people click.

Perhaps the application of sustainability principals would bring the trait of 'Resourcefulness' out of these individuals.

• Integration of humans, animals, plants, the land and environment.

• Recycling of waste from one participant as food for the other.

• Optimizing out-put without any ‘cost’ but at a value addition.

• Attaining year round work-load spacing conducive to healthy qualitative life

through a variety of productive activities.

So, I have decided to go ahead with my 'plan'. I shall have a forest garden with the main objectives - To becoming self sufficient, and playing a gratifying role in the life there'.

I must use the available resources and set an example, of being 'resourceful'...