Technology Initiative for Peace

LOCAL ECONOMY and socio-ecology can only thrive when regional resources and knowledge are given importance. This would not only help local economy but would also be important from decentralization of economic development process point of view.

Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) in association with Northen command has taken up of technology initiative in different Army sector of J & K. The major activities have been on electrification of border villages

through watermills. The other important interventions were on income generation through local available resources. The local resources tapped were fruits, aromatic, and other plants.
A long term strategy helped to control dissatisfaction among the technology deprived communities of the borders.

Water Mill
There are above eighty thousands water mills in J & K. These mills have either been abandoned or are in a poor shape. Such water mills in the Valley were upgraded and electrified in many villages located in the border. The technology use was simple, low cost and locally repairable.

Water mill uses water to run machinery for several applications with electricity. The energy of water cycle, which is driven by the mill, can be tapped to produce electricity or for mechanical tasks like grinding grain. The water cycle is an endless, constantly recharging system. Hydel power is therefore considered a renewable and alternate source of energy.

The energy produced was used to light up bulbs in 60 houses in each village, and run various agro machines. Thus, this revolutionary concept has served to empower each village. Not only did it make itself sufficient in terms of power, it also generated employment by powering workshop for running the machines, welding etc. This demonstration at Poonch has brought a revolution in J &K. It was army thereafter illuminating 360 villages through the same technology.

Tapping the bio-resources
Governor of J &K & Northern Command of Army is committed to illuminate another 1500 villages along LOC through watermill to bring peace through watermill upgradation. The major areas benefited are Jammu, Doda, Leh, Kargil, Rajouri and Wadwan valley etc. These mills on upgradation bring illumination and increase pace of grinding the flour. They are also used for other local purpose like oil expelling, dehusking etc. The mill is a unique example of decentralization of technology as community service system.

Bio-resources
Mountain communities besides agriculture are rich in horticulture and naturally occurring trees and herbs. The technology initiative for peace bestowed a new economic turn to the above resources. Series of technology trainings were imparted on resource use from Leh, Kargil to Uri-Baramullah to Rajouri, Palma to Thana mandi, covering most of the geographical areas of J &K. The training were conducted to expose local community to resources they posses. In order to systematize various resource use inputs. Army Bioresource Centres were initiated in Kargil and Rajouri, Palma



Agriculture is said to be uneconomical in the mountain terrain. Under the programme, value addition mountain specific crops has brought radical improvement in market values. Biscuits, cookies, cakes were developed to attract local market.

Horticulture although highly productive in mountain is fated to poor return due to poor preservation and processing. This was initiated in a major way in Leh, Kargil, Baramulla, Uri, Rajouri, Palma and Jammu. The trainings were conducted to launch market profitable product from different regions. "Kargil" product from apricots of Kargil and "Lauren" from apples of Lauren valley have shown interest.

Similarly, aromatic plants available in the region were processed for marketing scented material like incense cake, sticks. The wax candles were also developed blending with aromatic and mosquito repellents.

In all such initiatives, besides spot training, visit of local community were organized to villages of Uttaranchal where technology is actually benefiting women. Women representatives from all parts of J &K under the aegis of Army were exposed to different technologies to the rural borders. These new initiatives in the form of mini-economic revolution in J & K would ultimately help in the peace process.