How external corporate interests 'undermine' traditional wisdom, gram swaraj ideology

By Bharat Dogra* 

Addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation represents one of the foremost challenges of our era, affecting all nations and communities. However, the strategies we employ must consider the livelihoods and needs of people to avoid negatively impacting small farmers, workers, and vulnerable populations, especially in developing regions. 

My research indicates that it is indeed feasible to align the vital goals of safeguarding the livelihoods of small farmers while also addressing climate change collaboratively. These objectives can evolve simultaneously. 

Challenges arise when corporate interests skew the approach. This brings renewed significance to the goal of fostering self-reliant rural communities. In India, this concept has deep roots, championed for decades by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers through the idea of gram swaraj (village self-rule). This philosophy remains pertinent, particularly in our efforts to intertwine effective climate action with the promotion of sustainable and fulfilling rural livelihoods. 

Rural communities possess great creativity in utilizing local resources to meet their needs effectively. In my travels to remote villages, I have consistently observed this ingenuity. However, these communities often face pressure from dominant forces pushing uniform technologies, inputs, and solutions that may not suit local contexts and can even harm the environment. 

As a result, fossil fuels and agrochemicals derived from fossil sources have infiltrated many villages, while alternative, more suitable solutions are overlooked. Furthermore, the introduction of these external technologies disrupts traditional practices such as mixed farming, crop rotation, and integration of trees and pastures — practices critical not only for sustainable livelihoods but also for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

Such disruptions may persist due to the powerful business interests that sustain them, often leveraging government subsidies to prolong unsustainable practices. Conversely, the gram swaraj approach allows rural communities to tap into their creativity and enthusiasm, significantly reducing reliance on costly external inputs while improving soil and water conservation. 

This method enhances farmers’ welfare and the sustainability of their livelihoods, leading to greater resilience in the face of adverse weather conditions. Evidence shows that community-led initiatives can also substantially lower fossil fuel dependency, thus addressing both climate change adaptation and mitigation alongside sustainable livelihoods. 

Jayesh Joshi, coordinator of NGO Vaagdhara, a voluntary organization in Central India, shares insights from their work with Bheel tribal communities. Their experiences affirm that the gram swaraj concept effectively harmonizes the goals of protecting livelihoods and the environment. Joshi emphasizes that the traditional knowledge of the Bheel tribal communities is immensely supportive of these dual objectives. 

Discussions with the Vaagdhara team, which frequently engages with these villages, reveal a shared conviction that the gram swaraj framework resonates with the traditional wisdom of tribal communities. Many farmers, including women, express enthusiasm about the practical outcomes they have witnessed both on their farms and within their communities. 

Another notable instance of rural innovation relevant to climate action is the Mangal Turbine (photo), developed by Mangal Singh, a farmer-scientist from the Bundelkhand region. Growing up, Singh observed that farmers struggled to obtain diesel for irrigation, prompting him to invent a device that uses flowing water to lift water from streams without relying on diesel or electricity. 

His innovation garnered the attention of officials and scientists, leading to strong recommendations for widespread adoption by the Ministry of Rural Development. Despite the initial enthusiasm and support, significant delays have hindered the implementation of the Mangal Turbine. Both Singh and I have advocated for its adoption, but progress has stagnated. 

This technology aligns perfectly with the gram swaraj ideology and holds immense potential for reducing diesel use in villages, yet external factors have stalled its growth. 

The experiences of Vaagdhara highlight the remarkable potential for creative and valuable initiatives even in challenging circumstances. In contrast, the case of the Mangal Turbine underscores the obstacles that can impede even the most promising solutions. Clearly, while there is substantial potential, considerable work remains to be done to advance the gram swaraj concept in ways that creatively integrate the protection of rural livelihoods with environmental stewardship. 

Innovations like the Mangal Turbine are crucial as they promote climate change mitigation and adaptation while also helping farmers cut costs and enhancing community self-reliance.

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*Bharat Dogra is the Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now and author of several books including "Planet in Peril," "Protecting Earth for Children," "Man over Machine," and "A Day in 2071"