A SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The Kullu Valley has undergone huge changes during the last few decades. Mass tourism and rapid economic development, combined with a huge increase in population and a shift in cultural values, has caused far-reaching social and ecological disruption. Local resources are rapidly being depleted, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for villagers to meet their daily needs in a sustainable manner.

The Ananda project, based at the Krishna Temple above Naggar, aims to help local communities regain their self-reliance and return to a sustainable way of life. Working with local villagers, Ananda is developing a number of different projects aimed at restoring the environment, raising awareness of ecological issues, encouraging co-operation and providing sustainable sources of income in the local community.

The Ananda project is also an ecotourism project and offers various voluntary work opportunities to help with the projects we are working on (see the projects). This may include planting trees, collecting seeds, helping to maintain the nurseries and cultivating medicinal plants.

Guests staying at the Krishna Temple also have the opportunity to learn Yoga, hand-loom weaving, indian classical singing, vegetarian cooking or go trekking in the surrounding mountains. It is even possible to arrange a yoga-trek, or a yoga-eco-trek! This may include collection of medicinal plant seeds or cuttings, documenting plant species or collecting samples for research.

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