Participation and Development


Together with the local farmers and their village groups, Eco Himal founded the so-called Community Development Committees (CDCs), who get together in monthly meeting to discuss local village affairs, make decisions regarding future developments, manage a small-loan system and conduct communal work projects.

This system enabled the local population to make their own decisions as to content of projects and activities which the villagers themselves consider necessary.

Within this process

• trails have been improved
• new bridges built
• traditional watermills and drinking water fountains established
• farming techniques improved
• traditional weaving techniques modernized
• cardamom as a cash-crop introduced
• protection against erosion was achieved through reforestation
• schools and health posts were assisted

During the more recent years of the project, the CDCs have been gradually transformed into co-operatives in order to strengthen the legal basis of these institutions so that they can function as “village banks” and create markets for the local products. With this measure, it has not only been possible to strengthen the institution of the of the local communities but also the economic basis of the farmers and their families.

For a detailed analysis of this process you may download the Final Report.