Centre of Science for Villages (CSV) started functioning in 1976 by its founder Chairman and Director Late Dr. Devendra Kumar from the premises of Maganwadi in Wardha from where Mahatma Gandhi began the “All India Village Industries Association” (AIVIA) in 1934 and Dr. J. C. Kumarappa gave shape to Gandhian concept of Rural Economy. The idea behind the centre was to establish a place, which could act as a centre for transfer of technology and be a bridge between the portals of National Laboratories and doors of the Rural Mud Huts. Vision and Mission of Centre of Science for Villages:
- To work towards a holistic and futuristic development of the small community based decentralized village economy.
- To develop and demonstrate appropriate rural technologies which are ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just.
- To develop the villages and arrest the erosion of its talents by promoting rural non-farm activities.
- To promote interaction between S & T Labs & village mud huts, to enable the scientists to interact with the rural realities and learn from the accumulated knowledge in the village tradition.
- To provide a forum to rural innovation with specialists and experts in science and technology, to provide them with necessary S & T inputs to optimize their innovated processes and products.
- To collect and document scientific and technological information for rural areas, by establishing a good database and information system and disseminate the same through publications.
- To undertake adaptive R & D to mould the available technology according to the local condition and skill level and Train people who could take it to the villages.
- Research
- Field Trials
- Field Extension
- Networking
- Training
- Publications and
- Policy Intervention
CSV works to salvage traditional
sciences through appropriate technology transfer and introduction of practical
and innovative scientific products for rural areas that benefit both the people
and the environment. The two campuses of CSV at Kumarappapuram and Dattapur in
Wardha organise a wide variety of activities exhibiting the application of
alternate technologies for rural areas both through models as well as through
hands on practices in their own facilities. At these locations, CSV also
provides training to artisans, Self Help Groups, micro-entrepreneurs and
development practitioners on alternate technologies. Key areas ofwork of the
organisation are ---
|
Rural Housing |
·
Mud House ·
Bamboo House |
|
Sanitation |
·
Leach Pit Toilet ·
Biogas ·
Agro waste Stove ·
Vermi Composing ·
NADEP Composting |
|
Liquid waste
management |
·
waste management ·
Spill water
Recycling Unit ·
Soak Pit ·
Rainwater Harvesting
Unit ·
Kitchen Gardening ·
Water Filter for
safe drinking water |
|
Non Conventional
Energy |
·
Deen Bandhu Biogas
Plant ·
Balaji Biogas Plant ·
Ic-Mic Cooker |
|
Eco-Technology |
·
Watershed Management ·
Cover Management ·
Organic Farming ·
Forestry ·
Collection and
Processing Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) ·
Honey from Box and
Wild Bees ·
Gums and Resins ·
Fibers and weeds ·
Medicinal and
Tuberous Crops ·
Natural Dye |
|
Rural Industries |
·
Pottery ·
Fabrication of tools
and implements ·
Food Processing and
Herbal Medicine ·
Processing of NTFP ·
Natural Dying |
|
Women Technology |
·
Appropriate Tools
for drudgery reduction ·
Cosmetics and
Toiletries |
Our Initiatives
The primary goal of the centre has always been
to "improve life conditions in the rural areas of India". The
techniques evolved by the CSV range from mud housing technology to various
methods of energy procurement and crop cultivation. CSV actively works in the
areas of promoting hygiene and development of alternative approaches of local
industries. These techniques are primarily based on locally available
materials. They are simple to use, cost effective and environment-friendly.
Training to villagers is provided in parallel, so that they can enhance their
skills and transmit their experiences to others. This initiative enabled the
creation of a local know-how that can be used to create opportunities of jobs,
trades, etc.
Activities are planned on the basis of the
Gandhian philosophy that envisioned villages as self-sufficient units. The use
of these "appropriate technologies" brings freedom for villagers and
helps them to lead their life with dignity.
The main campus of CSV Wardha is accessible by road and rail services. It has two campuses both on the state highway connecting Nagpur and Wardha. Both the campuses lie outside the main town of Wardha.