- Welcome to the Pradeepan Foundation
- Pradeepan, Borgaon Jean
District Betul Madhya Pradesh
- 460001, Madhya Pradesh
pradeepan_05@yahoo.com
- Working Hours
Mon-Sat:9.30am to 7.00pm
Environment Conservation & Climate Action
Welcome To PRADEEPAN Foundation
Overview Key Activities
- Land and water conservation work in 35 villages, benefiting over 1,015 farmers and covering 2,500 hectares.
- Construction of check dams, farm ponds, wells, and sandbag dams to improve groundwater levels.
- Distribution of seeds to 2,000 farmers and organic farming awareness for 8,500 farmers.
- Plantation of 25,000–30,000 saplings across 200 villages and development of 200 community Environment Volunteers.
- Conservation of local seed varieties through seed banks in 20 villages.
1 Environment Conservation & Climate Action
Watershed Development – Pradeepan Organization
Bhimpur Block, Bhainsdehi Tehsil, Betul District, Madhya Pradesh
Pradeepan began working in 1995 for the holistic development of tribal communities in the Bhimpur block. The region is rocky, rain-dependent, and resource-poor, leading to poverty, hunger, malnutrition, migration, and high child mortality rates.
The organization focuses on strengthening livelihoods, food security, and environmental balance through the conservation and enhancement of land, water, forests, and agricultural resources, with watershed development as the core approach.
At the start of the program, nearly 85% of tribal families were forced to migrate for livelihood. Families depended on moneylenders charging extremely high interest rates, and children suffered from malnutrition and poor access to healthcare. The organization worked to ensure food security by preventing black marketing and ensuring fair access to government schemes and Public Distribution System (PDS) benefits.
```- Ensured continuous functioning of Anganwadi centers and distribution of nutritional supplements to pregnant women and children (3–5 years).
- Facilitated vaccination programs and connected malnourished children to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRC).
- Ensured payment of minimum wages and linked deprived families with government schemes.
- Formed women’s groups to promote leadership and community participation.
Using a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), the organization assessed village resources and developed a comprehensive plan in collaboration with Oxfam India Trust. The Rural Integrated Development program was approved for 10 villages, focusing on land improvement, soil bunding, water harvesting structures, and gully plugs.
```Support was also received from CASA, UNDP Small Grants Programme, and the Canada High Commission (ICCO–SIDA) for soil and water conservation initiatives.
```2 Land and Soil Conservation
- Bunding and contour bunding carried out on 2,500 hectares with participation of 1,015 farmers.
- Implemented across 35 villages, reducing runoff and soil erosion while maintaining soil moisture.
- Resulted in improved productivity of both Kharif and Rabi crops.
3 Water Conservation & Resource Development
4 Afforestation & Forest Conservation
- Plantation of 25,000–30,000 saplings across 200 villages.
- Environmental awareness campaigns conducted in 200 villages.
- Training of 200 Environmental Friends from local communities.
- Orientation of 50 Forest Protection Committees.
- Promotion of community forest conservation through Forest Rights Committees (FRC).
5 Sustainable & Organic Farming
- Promotion of low-cost, sustainable agricultural practices.
- Distribution of seeds to 2,000 farmers.
- Awareness programs on organic farming for 8,500 farmers.
- Construction of 200 NADEP units, 200 vermicompost units, and 1,000 earthen compost units.
- Under MGNREGA, Kapila Dhara wells increased irrigation and Rabi crop coverage.
6 Local Seed Conservation & Self-Reliance
- Establishment of seed banks in 20 villages.
- Conservation of 7–8 quintals of local seed varieties (wheat, chickpea, paddy, kodo, kutki).
- Seed banks for both Rabi and Kharif crops in 17 villages.
- Creation of village funds to reduce dependence on moneylenders.
- Each village fund maintained between ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000 for emergencies and development needs.
