Jana Jagruti

"Great Backyard Bird Count" #GBBCIndia is the Indian implementation of the global Great Backyard Bird Count, which runs for 4 days every February. Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since the event went worldwide in 2013. The 2024 edition of #GBBC engaged over 5,300 birders, who uploaded over 58,000 checklists and recorded 1,036 species As part of the Great Backyard Bird Count initiative, #JanaJagruti documented bird counting under the #WWFIndia Conservation Catalyst Program and invited the #FoundationForEcologicalSecurity(FES) team to give an orientation for the Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and project staff. As part of this FES, on February 15th, the Madanapalli unit team visited the Jana Jagruti project office, Tanakallu, and gave the orientation to team members. Subsequently, the team conducted a field visit to the Peddapalli #Commonlands area and the CG project and successfully documented the 31 species. Following the GBBC, the Jana Jagruti organized a bird-counting event involving community members on Monday, February 17th. The team visited the Thurakavandlapalli Forest area and documented 24 species of birds. This activity serves as an excellent opportunity for skill development and reinforces our appreciation for the support received from #FES in facilitating the Backyard Count exercise. It was a highly constructive initiative for all participants and communities. The documented species were uploaded to the eBIRD application.  #FoundationforEcologicalSecurity #GBBCIndia #Birds #Biodiversity #WWFIndia #Natureconservation #Forest Pallavi GandhiKavya D.Nukala Nagarjuna ReddyPaavan Kumar Reddy G.

Jana Jagruti (JAJ): Leading the Way in Common Land Restoration! On January 8th, 2025, #WASSANIndia visited the Jana Jagruti Peddapalli Common Lands Restoration Area as part of their internal staff capacity-building initiative. This visit allowed them to learn from Jana Jagruti’s decades-long leadership in restoring and protecting common lands through community-driven conservation efforts that have thrived since 2008. The total common land in the Malreddy Palli Panchayat is 668 hectares. Out of this, 370 hectares have been taken for restoration under the Peddapalli watershed (2008-2015). The restoration efforts began in 2002 under the Common Property Resource Management Project, supported by the #Foundationforecologicalsecurity and initiated by the APPS network. Under this project, the APPS network facilitated MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) works in the commons by coordinating with relevant line departments. For over 25 years, Jana Jagruti has been at the forefront of landscape restoration, working hand-in-hand with local communities to implement sustainable soil moisture conservation, natural regeneration practices, and community-centric bylaws to prevent fires. JAJ's pioneering efforts in rotational grazing have ensured that the land remains productive while supporting biodiversity. A key success of Jana Jagruti’s intervention has been the revival of pond ecosystems in valley areas, providing essential water resources for livestock and local wildlife. Additionally, the sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and firewood has created new economic opportunities for the community. The visit reaffirmed Jana Jagruti’s commitment to grassroots-led environmental stewardship and the tangible impact of community-driven conservation. We appreciate #WASSANIndia’s recognition of these efforts and continue to set an example for restoring degraded landscapes and empowering rural communities. Jana Jagruti stands as a beacon of resilience, innovation, and sustainability in common land restoration through a landscape-based approach! If you want to contribute to JA J's efforts, kindly reach out to us at info@janajagruti.org #JanaJagruti #CommonLandRestoration #CommunityConservation #GrassrootsLeadership #SustainableLivelihoods #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalStewardship #WASSANIndia #EcoAgriculturalPartners #commonground #livinglandscape Pallavi GandhiPaavan Kumar Reddy G.Kavya D.Nukala Nagarjuna Reddy

Our Success stories in Water management Effective water management is a pressing concern in rural areas, where communities often face significant challenges such as water scarcity, inadequate water quality, and inefficient resource utilization. As an organization committed to addressing these complexities, we have taken on a pivotal role in advocating for sustainable water conservation practices, enhancing access to clean water, and improving agricultural efficiency through an institutional governance process at the habitation and panchayat levels. Our initiatives have focused on empowering local communities by promoting sustainable methods like rainwater harvesting, watershed management, crop water budgeting, social regulations, and participatory water governance. These strategies have contributed to water security and improved socio-economic conditions, fostered climate resilience, and mitigated migration driven by water scarcity issues. Here are some highlights of our proven interventions that significantly advance the long-term sustainability of water resources: These efforts lay the groundwork for a more resilient future for rural populations. As we continue to share success stories and gather data on the impact of our work, we remain committed to fostering sustainable practices that support communities in their journey toward water security and resilience. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure a brighter future for future generations. If you want to learn more about our initiatives or collaborate with us, please reach out to us Pallavi Gandhi Paavan Kumar Reddy G.Kavya D.Nukala Nagarjuna Reddy #water #groundwater #watergovernance

Dear all, The Jana Jaguti welcomes Nukala Nagarjuna Reddy Garu, a scientist currently associated with ICRISAT, to join our advisory board. His extensive experience promoting rural livelihoods, water conservation, Agroforestry, and integrated landscape development will significantly contribute to our organization's advancement and success in uplifting vulnerable communities in rural areas. Nukala Nagarjuna Reddy Nagarjuna ReddyPaavan Kumar Reddy G. Pallavi GandhiKavya D.

"Promotion of Horse gram in Rainfed fallow lands" We are excited to share a remarkable achievement from our recent initiatives at the Jana Jagruti Organization! This past Kharif season 2024-25, we witnessed the transformative power of horse gram cultivation on previously fallow lands. As part of the Rayalaseema Water Initiative Project supported by the #AzimPremjiFoundation, we have distributed horse gram seed to 319 farmers through a subsidized scheme with convergence with the Agriculture Department, and sowings are taking place in 766 acres of drylands. These lands have been fallow for the last 5-8 years for various reasons, like frequent drought, increased cost of cultivation, etc. The organization organized meetings and training for interested farmers, motivating them to cultivate Horsegram as a catch crop in the rainfed fallow lands. This initiative improved soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and provided a valuable source of nutritious fodder for livestock. The results were impressive, with farmers earning Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 per acre, greatly enhancing their livelihoods. This initiative highlights the potential of horse gram as a catch crop in rainfed lands. Horse gram's resilience makes it an ideal choice for rainfed conditions. Its low water needs allow it to thrive in marginal soils, while its biomass contributes both as fodder and soil enrichment. By acting as a cover crop, horse gram effectively prevents soil erosion, suppresses weeds, and retains moisture, showcasing its multifaceted benefits for sustainable agriculture. As we look forward to the future, we are motivated to continue driving positive change in our agricultural landscape and empowering farmers to make sustainable choices. Pallavi GandhiKavya D.Paavan Kumar Reddy G. #rainfedlands #naturalfaming #drylands

Impact of Restoration of Common Lands Common lands are invaluable resources essential to sustaining our ecosystem and rural livelihoods. The village Common Lands contribute an estimated US$5 billion to the incomes of poor Indian households. Over the past fifty years, Commons has declined by 31 to 55% due to population growth, land fragmentation, development, and environmental degradation. The weakening of local institutions, changing societal structures, unclear land tenure, and insufficient policies have also worsened this decline. Our organization's communities witness the transformative effects of past restoration efforts driven by collective action. Restoring common lands within our project areas benefits communities through tree planting, natural regeneration, and community initiatives such as the formation of bylaws like rotational grazing, fire management, and soil moisture conservation works under the convergence of MGNREGA. We have promoted Ecological Restoration across 1,258 hectares of common lands and facilitated the planting of 690,000 trees, focusing on native species through community efforts and collaborating with different stakeholders. Communities are witnessing the following impact in the villages. Biodiversity Improvement  The ecorestoration enhanced habitat connectivity, supporting existing vegetation and endangered wildlife. Employment Creation Local communities have found job opportunities through nurseries, plantations, and monitoring activities. Improved Skills and Knowledge Through targeted training, communities have enriched their knowledge and skills in seedling cultivation, safety, sustainable use of non-timber products, waste management, and forest protection. Livelihood Enhancement  Promoting diverse livelihood activities, such as fruit and leaf collection and wood sourcing for agricultural implements, has improved income. Institutional Governance Mechanisms Formed monitoring committees actively engaged in vital maintenance activities such as fire prevention, overgrazing control, survival assessments, and weed clearing. These snapshots of our ecorestoration efforts highlight the significant impact we can achieve when we work together. Pallavi Gandhi Kavya D.Paavan Kumar Reddy G.Foundation For Ecological Security (FES) #Commonlands

Thank you for your unwavering support in uplifting small and marginalized communities. Together, we can continue our journey toward making a meaningful and positive impact!

Thank you for your unwavering support in uplifting small and marginalized communities. Together, we can continue our journey toward making a meaningful and positive impact!

**Transitioning to Natural Farming Practices** As part of the Rayalaseema Water Initiative(RWI) project supported by the #AzimPremjiFoundation, we actively promote natural farming practices in the designated 19 project villages. This year, we have established a foundation for natural farming and have thus far promoted practices such as Beejamrutha, Drava Jeevamrutham, and Gan Jeevamrutham across various crops, including millets, groundnuts, and vegetables. In addition to this intervention, we are also advocating for natural farming techniques in nutritious gardens to provide farmers with access to fresh vegetables throughout the year and promote healthy, nutritious foods. To date, 446 farmers have adopted natural farming practices across 949 acres during this Kharif season. Based on the insights gained from these initiatives, we are implementing the following strategies to stabilize natural farming practices in the forthcoming years: 1.Each Rural Cadre will adopt all natural farming principles on 2 acres in their respective panchayats. 2.Identify the youth and interested farmers who are already practicing natural farming. 3.Identify interested farmers to encourage them to adopt natural farming practices with hand-holding support. 4.Map the livestock population in all project villages to assess the available manure. 5.Initially aim to convince farmers to adopt at least 3-4 natural farming practices in their fields; encourage them to increase the number of practices in subsequent years. 6.Organize study tours to model APCNF villages. 7.Establish individual Drava Jeevamrutham units. 8.Motivate irrigated farmers to adopt partial natural farming practices in their irrigated crops. 9.Establish natural farming models such as PMDS, ATM, and Navadhanaya cropping systems with the Cadre and interested Farmers. 10.Organize farm schools and sharing events in the panchayats for effective cross-learning. 11.Arrange field days at the end of each cropping season. 12.Prepare pamphlets, manuals, and posters for display in trainings and meetings. 13.Building the capacities of Rural cadre through ToTs 14.Organize various capacity-building events on natural farming practices. 15.Take soil samples in natural farming plots and monitor organic carbon and nutrient status yearly. #RySS #naturalfarming Paavan Kumar Reddy GollapalliPallavi GandhiKavya Dutta

Empowering Sustainable Crop Management through #CABI Digital Innovations in Rural Villages. In today’s fast-paced world, digital tools transform how we approach sustainable agriculture, especially in rural communities. By integrating the #digitaltools, farmers can access real-time data, optimize resource use, and make informed decisions that boost productivity and resilience against climate challenges. Tools like #CABIPlantwisePlus, #cropsprayer from https://lnkd.in/gsrRtp3h, and #Pestoscope from #CSA are invaluable for smallholder farmers. These innovations supported by #CABI and #CSA help farmers efficiently plan crops, manage pests, and manage nutrients, all essential for long-term sustainability. Introducing #CABI digital platforms in our rural areas has empowered farmers to tackle crop challenges, diversifying their farming practices, and reducing their dependence on pesticide shops. Similarly, these tools helping our project staff deliver their extension services effectively and implement sustainable agriculture practices. This reduces environmental impact, enhances livelihoods, and promotes resilient agricultural systems. As we strive for sustainability, #CABI digital innovation in agriculture is not just a trend but a necessity. We thank #CABI #CSA and #MadhuManjari for their valuable support in promoting these digital innovations. Let’s continue to advocate for and implement #CABI digital tools that foster sustainable practices in the heart of our rural communities.  Madhu ManjariPallavi GandhiKavya DuttaPaavan Kumar Reddy Gollapalli