Out of the world

Choitresh Kumar Ganguly also known as Babloo Ganguly an Ashoka Fellow is a motivational force for many people on how to carry out environment protection and regeneration of degraded, drought-ridden lands in Andhra Pradesh. He has successfully rebuilt an agro-forest habitat on a 32-acre piece of land situated in one of the worst drought affected districts in India. It all started took it over in 1991. Today Timbaktu Collective is a registered NGO situated in Chennekothapalli, Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. His working team has formed an alternative living style based on sustainability of the eco-system deep inside the forest near to Chennekothapalli. Today both Babloo and his wife Mary Vattamattam inspire several people for their hard work and simple living.

Why the name Timbaktu? As far I know it's a place in Africa? Why this unusual name?

The source of inspiration was the concept of Timbaktu was 'no where no where land' in Telegu Timbaktu means 'sarihaddu rekha' - the last horizon where the earth meets the sky. The name goes perfect since the land here was like no where land, lost in barren and neglect. We selected this land to regenerate the forest eco-system

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When it all started?

It all started in 1990 when we bought this land from local people. People here sold their land since it was non-productive and they migrated from here. The land was barren and deserted. Due to scanty rainfall and drought there was hardly any kind of agriculture here. The whole area was ecological disaster due to deforestation and low rainfall. We took the pain to regenerate this vast barren land into a model eco-system based on sustainable development.

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What was the philosophy and idea behind Timbaktu?

The idea was simple. It was natural regeneration. The time has come to heal the wounded environment. Environment can heal its wound just like human being has healing power. If we take care of environment it will heal itself and regenerate itself. That was the basic concept and idea behind Timbaktu. Another principle was Food security and Food sovernity of people. People should decide what food they should grow and consume and not the market. The whole concept of natural regeneration and ecological restoration can only guarantee agricultural sustainability and food security and food sovernity. Today the whole area has 320 flora species, when we had started in early 1990s there were only 20 flora species. 10 species were never seen in Anantpur district earlier.

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What are the main activities of Timbaktu Collective?

We work in six different areas; these are natural resource management (NRM) and ecological restoration, alternative banking & women empowerment, alternative education, governance, awareness with youth group and welfare of disability section.

In NRM we usually do forest regeneration, watershed development, restoration and rehabilitation of tanks, organic farming, building rain water harvesting structures, planting of tamarind orchards and also advocacy & community organization. We at Timbaktu train local people on natural resource management and ecological restoration.

Alternative banking and women's empowerment by Timbaktu is a unique in India, since it has no external linkage with banks but it is self sustain and self sufficient like the nature which can regenerates itself. The concept of alternative banking is resource regeneration from people. There are three MCAS (Mutually Aided Thrift Co-operative Societies) formed by women. The lending interest rate is 12% and on savings it is 6%. The women self help group is actively engaged themselves in various economic activities and issues related to empowerment like voicing against domestic violence, political rights in local self governance, legal aid and produce dairy products

Timbaktu also run two co-education schools one at Timbaktu Collective and another at Chennekothapalli village nearby. The main philosophy behind our education system is to inculcate the fearlessness among children so that they can question and without question there is no learning. We encourage creative learning in free environment where children can open up their mind and celebrate life while learning.

Alternative people's organization and governance is one of the areas of Timbaktu's areas of work. We are involved in training of gram sarpanch and ward members on local self governance issues. Timbaktu Collective has prepared a data bank for five model panchayets for developing its five year plan based on need assessment.

Youth empowerment through theatre and drama training workshop in Timbaktu is another unique initiative. Local youth are given dramatic and theatrical training on various social issues and they use these communication skills to make people aware on various right based issues. Each year residential training programme on local art form is being conducted in Timbaktu Collective for local youth.

Welfare of disabled people is another area where Timbaktu Collective is working. We are teaching disabled people basic daily living life skills, reference services, fight for their rights and organizations of disable people.

These are the basic areas of operation of Timbaktu Collective, in around 120 villages in Chennakothapalli, Rodam and Ramagiri mandals of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

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What is your idea about developed nation and how India can become developed nation?

My idea is sustainability development is the key to achieve long term equitable development. If we take care of nature, then nature will take care of us otherwise there will be disasters waiting for us like global warming and drought. We should reduce consumption and heal the environment. India's development should be based on natural resource regeneration otherwise we will face severe shortage of water, electricity and other resources.

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- Samit Roy visited Timbaktu collective and spent time with the communities
9th and 10th October 07, 2007