Eco-Education and Eco-conservation program
Through an innovative set of nationwide programs, the Jesuits are engaged in preserving ecology and environment in South Asia. Through this program, the Jesuits focus on bio-diversity conservation, academic research on rare plant species, sustainable management of natural resources, promotion of renewable energy, eco-education and policy initiatives.
The JCI’s Priority Areas
Renewable energy is emerging as the driving source towards environment friendly practices. We work with the local communities and institutions to implement and increase the usage of solar & wind energies.
Another major step towards increasing the environmental awareness is the eco- education initiatives, Jesuits have been reaching to a number of students and stakeholders into Eco- Actions such as campaigns, awareness programmes and catering environmentally friendly practices.
Signiﬁcant ecological crises affecting the vulnerable groups are identified , researched and acknowledged by various stakeholders.
BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION OF RARE SPECIES
Encourage and work with the local communities towards taking responsibility for preservation and management of biodiversity, especially of endangered species, nutritional and medicinal plants.
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Ensure management of natural resources, to provide equitable opportunities for sustainable livelihoods to reduce impact of drought and ﬂood among local communities.
Working in hands with the agricultural sector by promoting agricultural diversity, organic farming practices, and food security among small & marginal farmers.
Identiﬁed groups who are affected due to climate change are positioned and have acquired an equitable share in the beneﬁts.
Participation in formulation & implementation of environmentally favourable policies at state and national levels.
Small and Marginal Farmers
Respect and safeguard our common home and link with education to lessen environmental degradation and the impact of climate change.
Leave no one behind and attain sustainable livelihoods and lifestyles. Include education with plans to help people fulfil their potential in dignity and equality in a healthy environment.
Strengthen global solidarity to achieve the SDGs. Ensure adequate financing, policy coherence, and multi-sector capacity.
Live in peaceful, diverse, harmonious societies, free from fear and violence. Maximize education’s potential to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Transform societies to have sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and sustainable lifestyles. Utilize education to reduce poverty and stimulate green and inclusive economies.
The 2030 Agenda
JESUIT’s are supporting the major three sustainable development goals in South Asia
SDG 7. Affordable & Clean Energy
TARUMITRA, an ecology partner of JCI known for its pioneering work in India and is undertaking programmes on eco-awareness to reach out to more than 3,00,000 children in 23 states. It has developed a unique Bio-Reserve of more than 4500 species. The ecological partners of Jesuit are promoting the cause of the harnessing of solar energy. Solar based food processing is being promoted which has great potential for the development of livelihoods for poor families. Technical and Skill Training courses on Solar and RE are run by Xavier Engineering College, Vijayawada, XTI, Vadodara, ASHA DEEP, Patna, and others.
SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
In the rain deficit region of Maharashtra and Gujarat, around 275 villages are made drought free with “Ridge to Valley” approach in which 175,812 hectares of land treated and water retention quality increased over a period of time. There is a decent increase in the green cover on wastelands, plantations of trees through Eco clubs, watershed development, etc. Biogas-Cum toilet construction, Promotion of Kitchen gardens & renewable energy methods, construction of Compost pits, promoting and practicing organic farming are also leaving eternal impact towards contributing to the cause of building climate resilient communities.
SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND
Many Institutions promote afforestation like the Biodiversity Conservation Network of GJEM, it is an excellent model promoting reforestation and organic farming techniques in 100 villages of Gujarat Province. Some research-based institutions are also into In-situ & Ex-situ conservation of rare and endangered species, development of the Herbarium, Biological park & Botanical garden and Adi Ausadhi-a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) by GJEM promoting medicinal plant Cultivation, Processing & Marketing are some of the examples.
Gujarat Jesuit Ecological Mission (GJEM)
Developing advocacy, research and stimulating a scientiﬁc approach to creation, under LEAF Programme, school children have been gaining practical knowledge about the methods of making compost, a process of making of honey, and about various species of trees. Every year GJEM organizes a series of Environmental Awareness Programme (EAP) to create young environmental leaders and educators.
Xavier Research Foundation (XRF), Gujrat
In 1995 the Xavier Research Foundation (XRF) was set up as an autonomous trust, its major goal in research is to do research that will better the lives of the poor citizens of our country and of our marginalized groups. The areas covered by projects range from protein purification, chemical synthesis, environmental issues, DNA fingerprinting, phytochemistry, plant tissue culture and several others.
Social Centre, Maharashtra
Social Centre in Pune works in multiple thematic areas, i.e., watershed development, renewable energy, climate change mitigation, livelihoods, and food security through sustainable agricultural methods, organic farming, and tribal and women empowerment.
SWADES, an Ecology Network in Goa under Jesuit Conference of India, works by influencing and engaging the young students through eco-spirituality programmes in 40 schools. This includes generating ecological awareness, forming & strengthening of eco-clubs, and providing exposure beyond tree plantation.
Samskriti, Kerala is a centre for creating environmental and sustainability awareness in society in collaboration with Samskriti. The main aim of the Centre is to mobilise people’s participation for preservation and conservation of the environment.
Tarumitra in Patna Two decades of sustained eﬀorts on solar alternatives, the consultative status of Tarumitra at the United Nations, wide media coverage of the events, strong viewership (60,000 views in a year) of Tarumitra website are a few achievements.