Many of the world’s poorest communities are among tribal and indigenous populations. Trapped in a relentless cycle of extreme poverty, vulnerability, and deprivation, they face a complex web of challenges that are deeply interconnected. These communities are the most vulnerable to the onset of climate change and environmental degradation. Increased water scarcity, soil instability and deforestation threaten the livelihoods of the 300 million people who are reliant on India’s forest ecosystems.
In Episode 13, I am joined by Dr. Sarika Kulkarni, the founder of the RAAH Foundation, an organization with the vision to make a better life for the tribal communities of Maharashtra. Operating in the northern Western Ghats, RAAH Foundation takes an integrated landscape management approach. This includes activities like creating water-positive villages, soil and moisture conservation, contour lining of farms, protecting grasses, designating fragile and critical areas, diverting grazing, converting barren land into biodiverse enriched carbon sinks through the plantation of native trees. To support biodiversity, RAAH is involved in the removal of invasive species, regenerative farming and agroforestry. Other than supporting tribal communities establish climate smart farming, RAAH Foundation aims to revive tribal art and establish micro businesses.
The Think Wildlife Podcast is also available on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube. Please do consider upgrading to an optional paid subscription on Substack. 30% of the revenue from this episode will be donated to RAAH Foundation!
Meet the Host
Anish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlife
Think Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/
Meet the Guests
Dr. Sarika Kulkarni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikakulkarni/
Recommended Wildlife Conservation Books
Rewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery: https://amzn.to/3NGF2V5
Rewilding Africa: Restoring the Wilderness on a War-ravaged Continent by Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence: https://amzn.to/48rpX3d
Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World: https://amzn.to/4hpHIEc
Rewilding the Sea by Charles Clover: https://amzn.to/3NGF2V5
Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe
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