Keystone Foundation Archives

Items

• Honey Hunters of the Nilgiri's on a Road to Sustainability_1997 09 presented at Apimondia
  This gives us the complete details of Honey hunters of the nilgiris. Hunting practices, the tools and techniques which is used by the Tribal communities. Traditional honey hunting details. Their beliefs, superstitions and traditions. Information documentation, sustainable studies, marketing support development of the hunters, village institution, network and the policy by the KF.
• Beekeeping and Bee Disease Scenario in the Nilgiri's _1996 05 Beekeeping Conference
  This article gives us the details of the beekeeping and the Bee disease scenario in the Nilgiris. How the Thai Sac Brood virus spread into the colonies in the wild.keystone's experience in facing and handling the disease in tamilnadu. Ecological and Socio-econimical perspective in beekeeping.
• The Little Things That Run the World
  Insect from a large part of biodiversity on earth. And Biodiversity is important for the resilience of this planet we all inhabit. A large proportion of biodiversity exists in agricultural landscapes close o forests.There is an entire range of arthropods that live in such systems and perform specific roles to maintain the ecological harmony of the habitat.
• The Hills are Alive_jet airways magazine
  The UNESCO recently recognised The Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site owing to its great biological diversity and exceptional natural beauty, A total of 39 sites across the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Maharastra have been chosen for the honour in seven wildlife sub-clusters. exploring the regions wild beauty. selection of waterfalls, national parks, exotic hill.
• Bees for development _article by Leo
  In this article, The NBR forms part of the western Ghats in India and includes diverse ecologocal systems with unique natural and cultural heritage. The grasslands and Shola woodland patches provide nectar and pollen sources for apis Cerana. Natural cavities in living trees within a patch of forest are identified by the Toda people. The NDA and TNFD recognised the Toda settlement and neighbouring forest Bekapathy Mund as being in need of protection to conserve bee habitats. surveying and documenting all cavities. documenting the cavities which are not harvested, awareness, creating watchdog committe.
• PROTECTED AREA UPDATE 85.
  One of the biggest opportunities and challenges in conservation linked field studies lies in the use of local and indigenous knowledge for ensuring benefits to the people while meeting the goals of conservation. Bare foot ecologists were involved in ecological field studies on NTFP that involved the creation. It is extremely important that these barefoot ecologists ne nurtured.
• The-Local_Oct_2010
  Every year, at least 1000ha of forest destroyed by human-induced fire. Inrecent decades the forest area of NBR have drastically reduced due to development & tourism activities. The golf circuit for young ones is hotting up in the nilgiris. First time participant YASH YOHAAN PRASAD is our personality of the month. Vitamin A, get red coloured veg and fruits to you table , give yourself the much needed vitamin A. sacred Buffelles, diaries and dairymen in south India.Animal trophy possession- the new hunting ground , for many, The kodanad View point, tea and tourism combined. Riverside tea plantations.A significant event in anglo-Indian history. The founding of HMSI was a landmark in the history of the community. Mountain Home School, coonoor , a result of the Society's far-reaching initiative.
• Western Ghats_2010 Apr Prot Area Update
  The Nilgiri Natural History Society was officially launched on 18th of february 2010. the society aims to promote ecological, design and implement projects, undertaking research activities, network and exchange info, The Save Western Ghats Meet 2010 was held from feb 18 to 20 at keystone foundation. dicussed about to protect the NBR, large dams , thermal power plants, issues of indigenous people, human-wildlife conflict, GM and organic farming and mining.
• Supporting agricultural research through grants_Making a difference in Asia and the Pacific (IFAD)
  The document outlines various initiatives and projects approved by the IFAD Executive Board aimed at improving rural livelihoods in the Asia and Pacific region, including poverty reduction programs in countries like China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It highlights the establishment of a research and development center in Kiribati to enhance agricultural practices on atoll islands, addressing food security challenges faced by local communities. Additionally, it discusses the implementation of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) in India to support organic farming among marginalized farmers, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and capacity building. The document also reflects on the significance of social network analysis in enhancing knowledge sharing among rural development stakeholders, ultimately aiming to foster sustainable practices and improve the economic conditions of rural populations.
• Keystone Sets up Nature Interpretation Centre at Sathyamangalam_2009-08-10 The Local
• An Indigenous Broom made from Parthenium hysterophorus L. ( Asteraceae)_2009 Vol 14 Envis Newsletter
  Rao reported Parthenium hysterophorus came to India from Poona in 1956. it is commonly called as Carrot Grass, congress grass or wild caarroy grass, in hindi is known as chatak chandani or Gajar ghas. It came to India along with PL 480 wheat seeds in 1950's. it is one of the ten worst weeds in the world and dangerous to crops, animals and human being. interestingly in NBR it was founded and it has become a part and parcel of the day to day life of Irulas. In neeradi village of pillur, they harvest, tied into bundles, dried till leaves fall off, and also spotted the same kind of broom in Bangalabadigai and Chokkanalli areas.
• The Poor and Private Sector Sitaram Rao Livelihoods India Case Study Competition Conservation Enterprise and Livelihoods A dilemma or a Meeting Point_2009
  The document explores the intersection of conservation, enterprise, and livelihoods within the Nilgiris region of Tamil Nadu, focusing on the challenges faced by indigenous communities, particularly the Kurumbas and Irulas, in adapting to a cash economy while preserving their traditional practices. It highlights the efforts of the Keystone Foundation to enhance market access for these communities by promoting sustainable practices and value-added products, such as honey and beeswax, which were historically undervalued. The case study illustrates the transition from barter systems to cash transactions, the importance of quality and branding in marketing, and the establishment of community-driven enterprises that empower local producers. Additionally, it discusses the integration of environmental conservation with economic development, emphasizing the need for fair trade practices and the potential for growth in organic markets.
• Major Wild Edible Plants of The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve in India_2009 September_Voices from the Forest
  In this article, the tribal people living in the area are endowed with a deep knowledge concerning the use of wild plants for food. The depend on forest resources for their livelihood and consume edible flowers, roots, fibres, tubers, rhizome, leaves, etc. the follwing plants are commonly use as a food Dioscorea tomentosa L. , Cycas circinalis L. , Acacia pennata L, Scutia myrtina kurz, Dioscorea oppositifolia L. , Bambusa arundinacea, Solanum nigrum L, . Cissus quadrangularis L. , cereus pterogonus Lemarie. Syzigium cuminii L., Where women have No Doctor , A Health Guide for Women.
• Social Bees and Food Plant Associations in the Nilgiri's Biosphere Reserve India_2009 no 50 Tropical Ecology
  The NBR is a part of the Western Ghats, It was the first Biosphere Reserve established in India. Tree diversity, Bee foraging, Bee diversity, The NBR Vegitation types, flower visitation patterns, similarity of forest types across sites, Bee important Index, Bee visitaion frequencies, Records of bee visit to 73 wild and cultivated plant species in the study areas.
• Bread from the Wild_2009 March Cycad Newsletter
  Cycas cincinalis also locally called 'Eenth' in kerala, it is a small evergreen, palm like tree growing to 25ft. In this article , the popular uses of cycas seed flour are Highlighted, still in many part of kerala are eating foods from the flour, The flour of cycas cincinalis seeds called 'Eenthakka podi' is still popular in Kerala. The seeds are collected in the month of June through August in kerala. leach well before eat, there are two ways to leach the seed, There are recipes for cycas seed flour, such as ' pidy', 'Idly', 'Puzukku'. food, fibre, medicine, fodder, construction, etc was the non-commercial products, Honey, medicinal plants and other fruits are for the commercial porpuse.
• Protected Area June_2009
  The Tiger watch expidition covered a 100 km stretch, identified four HPEA's where the Gharial population was higher than in other parts of the river, 123 gharial including 11 male were spotted, 73 muggers were seen, other species including bird like skimmers, ospreys and terns, mammals including hyenas, jackals, slothbear were also seen. BBL conference was held in coonoor in march 2009, social scientists, biologists, ecologists and economsts from india and other contrys were attended.the indegenous bees of the mountains NBR are known to play an important role in local indegenous livelihood. Increasing of wild animals reported in the cences recnty conduced in SWS, these include the Nilgiri Tahr, LTM, and the Giant squirrel. Proposal to increase area of Corbett TR, The plan is to be executed in two phases,
• Adding values to Life_2009_June Leisa India
  This article gives us the different plantation and commercial vegitations of NBR region. The arakode, Kotagiri taluk is the rain shadow area and Irula community is predominant in the region. Their cultivations and the NTFP's . KF's initiatives in this region was helpful to them to produce more major crops and for some legal consultation support to secure their traditional land holdings(80 acres). The value additon, they registered themselves under PGS Certification, keystone is a member of the PGS OIC(organic India counsil), KF's Green Shop s and facilitates the centers for local marketing through organizing outlets. Impacts form the value addition to their products, certification and marketing is helped them to fetch more prices in the market.
• New Amarambalam Valley an IBA of Kerala_2009 Jul-Sept _Mistnet.
  The region is considered a biodiversity hotspot and accorded a great degree of protection by the Forest Department. Its is also home to the oldest teak plantations in the country. Complete details of the new amarambalam valley, and the various animals and the plants.
• Characteristics of Trees Used as Nest Sites by Apis dorsata in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve India_2009 Journal of Tropical Ecology
  The servey report of Apis dorsata nests in two sites in NBR in the western ghats of India. Appankappu and Bedaguli has moderately disturbed semi-evergreen forestds and Grasslands, The distribution of nests per tree was tested using a Kolgomorov-Smirnov test. In appankappu 24 nests were recorded on 11 trees belonging to 6 species. the shortest nesting tree was 20 M tall, tallest nesting tree was 40 M. In bedaguli 16 trees from 11 species hosted 46 nests. 25M was the tallest and 18M is the shortest. Characteristics of trees used as nest sites by Apis dorsata.
• Bees & Their Role in Forest Livelihoods - Case Study 14_2009
  Tips for honey marketing, constraints faced by indivudual beekeepers and hunters, Organizing hunters and beekeepers into a group, oragniazing honey collecting centres, indegenous communities begin to produce honey in Mato Grosso, Honey trade standards of the Codex Alimentarius and the EU Honey directive.demand for residue -free honey, Records of world production and trade in honey. Standard of contract in the trade of honey.
• Honey and Wax a sticky challenge_009 July _Non Wood News
  SMFE's (Small and Medium Forest Enterprises), NWFP's(Non Wood Forest Products), FSC ( Forest Stewardship Council), CMCC ( Custom Made Crafts Centre) is creating new markets appropriate strategies for communities, Consumer contribution towards biodiversity. Distilleerderij Leukenheide is the family owned company responsible for producing the Gin. Hinabol ia a colourful loom woven cloth made of abaca fibre produced in Bukidnon Province, in the Philippines.
• A sweet taste of honey_2008 March_ Voices from the Forest
  A documentary by the NTFP EP was the most awaited release of the conference. Jenne De Beer officialy released the film. Key points was discussed during the training session and also the recommendations and ideas from the delegates.
• Eco Footprints Using People's Participation as a Way Forward_2008 March-_Leisa India
  Keystone's role in marketting was necessiated by the interventions In organic and natural products emerging from its development interventions in the Nilgiris. Primary source of the community is hunting and gathering. The first step towards local marketting began with the Green Shop at kotagiri, Keystones base in the Nilgiri. we have 6 full fledged production centres, mainly run by the tribal womens, 6-8 menber in each centres.
• Giving farmers a new tool for rural development_2008_IFOAM Annual report
  In 2008 IFOAM Addresses the rural development, they emphasized PGS as a powerful tool that empowers smallholders and producers to secure their income and bukd social capitol in their community. The experience in India has shown that the major benefits from working with PGS. IFOAM is the vital partner in Keystones efforts.
• Regional Variation in NTFP Harvest Strategies_2008 Ecology & Society
  Traditional knowledge about Indegenous people in Nilgiris. Indegenous Knowledge. NBR in the western ghats is home to moist, dry evergreen nad montane tropical forests. Wealthy flora and fauna. Adivasi dependence on forests, conservation of Indegenous knowledge, NTFP resource use in NBR. Traditional honey harvesting,