Economic Empowerment

Spiti, with its unique high-altitude cold desert ecosystem and a homogenous Buddhist community of a little over 10,000, was a remote isolated region till about two decades ago. A form of subsistence agro-pastoralism existed here till very recently. The local community had devised systems of living in harmony with the frugal resources that were on offer and formed social systems that ensured conservation of these resources. However, with the advent of globalisation, far-flung and remote regions such as Spiti have also witnessed a rapid transformation in their socio-economic structures.

From a subsistence-based economy Spiti is now transitioning into a cash-based economy. The impacts of this transition are amply evident, most emphatically on the agricultural practices of the region. These agricultural practices are also the mainstay of the economy. However, due to changing weather conditions, lack of availability of irrigation sources, drop in the productivity of agricultural crops and a dearth of livelihood options, there is urgent need to provide the locals with sustainable alternatives to meet with their economic needs.

The development of sustainable livelihoods is the core area of intervention and requires a concerted effort from the members of the enterprise and the local community. These livelihoods must be in harmony with the ecology and culture of the region and substantially contribute to the economic empowerment of the local community, in particular the women as they are the ones most affected by environment degradation. Our initiatives range from the propagation and commercialisation of Seabuckthorn (a plant with immense medicinal, economic and ecological value), to eco-tourism and the promotion of traditional (organic) agriculture.

With Spiti undergoing a transition phase it is imperative that efforts are made to preserve the traditional practices and livelihoods. Ecosphere Spiti is a small attempt to bridge the gap between the traditional and the modern, to ensure the development of sustainable livelihoods for the inhabitants of this unique cultural and ecological microcosm.