PANCHAYATI SWARAJ
Second Freedom; when my village becomes self-responsible
SixFreedoms...2Economic...2.5ResourceEcon
2.5 Resource Economization
Every village has immense resources, whether it is of man, material, produce,
raw materials or simple gifts of nature. And these must be allocated in such a way
so as to maximize the use, minimize the wastage/degradation and, wherever applicable,
ensure rejuvenation for future generations’ use.
Relevance:
What nature gives is truly unlimited. But that can be realized and utilized only if it is used efficiently
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with an attitude of plenty. What is there has to be replenished for the future generations.
In all economic and other activities, there is a need to ensure that this principle is
followed very religiously. For example, a proper attitude to conservation can ensure the
perpetuation of clean and perennial water supply, rich ecosystems in forests,
plentiful underwater animal and plant life in fishing zones, clean air, less diseases and
lesser damage to crops and cattle. This needs to be an integral part of all good cultures.
Detailed Rationale:
To be able to plan in such a way that all kinds of resources are constructively utilized
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should be a responsibility of the village. Masked unemployment meaning
underutilization of human resources, rotting produce meaning inappropriate marketing or
non-adoption of food processing technologies, low water tables meaning improper ecological and
water management are examples of concerns which a village has to address.
The important themes in this are stated below:
a) Earth has to grapple with the crisis of degradation of the environment, and if every village in the world does not do its bit, then the chances of recovery are small. It is therefore important to handle resources efficiently in every village.
b) Next, in order to be competitive in a modern-day economic order, the village team needs to learn to use all its resources efficiently—every small measure counts.
c) The third aspect is about the question of recycling waste. An efficient system for this will ensure hygiene, manure and conservation. Efficiency in this gives many side benefits, all of which has great immeasurable value.
d) Most of all, the perpetuation of life in a village and the needs of the future generation need to be ensured, and for that, conservation and replenishment methods are a must.
a) Earth has to grapple with the crisis of degradation of the environment, and if every village in the world does not do its bit, then the chances of recovery are small. It is therefore important to handle resources efficiently in every village.
b) Next, in order to be competitive in a modern-day economic order, the village team needs to learn to use all its resources efficiently—every small measure counts.
c) The third aspect is about the question of recycling waste. An efficient system for this will ensure hygiene, manure and conservation. Efficiency in this gives many side benefits, all of which has great immeasurable value.
d) Most of all, the perpetuation of life in a village and the needs of the future generation need to be ensured, and for that, conservation and replenishment methods are a must.
Success Stories and Action:
(Share examples of villages that have succeeded with this freedom.
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This will include things like adoption of efficient technologies, minimized use of fuel wood
and using other fuels instead, efficient use of water, conservation of soil and rejuvenation
of natural resources.
Another aspect in this would be to share resources through common ownership (mostly capital goods/technological applications) so that capital goods do not remain idle for long periods of time. This would help those who have limited finances. Such common possession would also be assisted through processes of centralized maintenance.
Certain villages in Maharashtra practice ‘Block Water’ (stoppage of running rain water so as to allow water to seep into the ground). Some communities in Rajasthan do not touch the innermost core of a forest even under the worst drought conditions and migrate instead so as to not use those resources. There are also outstanding examples of water conservation which villages have achieved through partnership with the government or otherwise both in the present world and in the centuries gone by. Outstanding models of waste management (economically) are already functional in South India and can be copied.
In many ways, this is just about having a mentality or a culture of conservation. If that attitude is developed and patronized in a village, it is assured that innovative solutions will emerge, and the world will move forcefully away from the present forecast of environmental doom.
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Another aspect in this would be to share resources through common ownership (mostly capital goods/technological applications) so that capital goods do not remain idle for long periods of time. This would help those who have limited finances. Such common possession would also be assisted through processes of centralized maintenance.
Certain villages in Maharashtra practice ‘Block Water’ (stoppage of running rain water so as to allow water to seep into the ground). Some communities in Rajasthan do not touch the innermost core of a forest even under the worst drought conditions and migrate instead so as to not use those resources. There are also outstanding examples of water conservation which villages have achieved through partnership with the government or otherwise both in the present world and in the centuries gone by. Outstanding models of waste management (economically) are already functional in South India and can be copied.
In many ways, this is just about having a mentality or a culture of conservation. If that attitude is developed and patronized in a village, it is assured that innovative solutions will emerge, and the world will move forcefully away from the present forecast of environmental doom.