Imagine of all the labels and artists that gave energy and support to scion to exploit the sacred way of happening called hip hop… What if all those labels gave Namasteelo music too. This music would be used to help save the rain forests. The project is already in motion, and you can give namasteezy music right now! Contact Kabir the the label home page:
http://web.me.com/mediumisthemessage/Nama_Music/CONTACT.html
The label has been working hard to develop a catalog of music that can be used to support efforts like the analog forestry network and their rain forest rescue teams. By using music, we can raise awareness about what is being done and what can be done.
Once we build up some funds to buy tea direct from the rain forest rescue teams, we buy it in bulk and give it away at events, music festivals and in yoga or healing art studios that support art shows and performances by caring and involved artists.
Explore the links here and where ever you find our blogs…. Let us know what you find and help us weave it all together.
Learn more about the teas and why we have selected them via:
International Analog Forestry Network
Analog Forestry is a system which seeks to establish analog ecosystems with architectural structures and ecological functions similar to the original climax or sub climax vegetation. It also seeks to strengthen rural communities, socially as much as economically, through the use of species that provide commercial products.
http://www.analogforestrynetwork.org/en/index.html
Look for additional interaction in support of this via:
http://namaspirittn.ning.com/notes
To address the many ecological and social issues in Sri Lanka, our projects focus on both environmental restoration and education. Whether we are training families in organic farming, or running a school programme on forest fauna, we empower communities to manage and protect their native environment.
We work to protect vulnerable environments through:
» Ecosystem restoration
» Development of sustainable livelihoods
» Education
» Research
» Carbon offsetting
In addition, our ecotourism programme promotes Sri Lanka’s natural heritage and raises funds to support our projects.
We believe by bringing together people and the environment, we can help build a sustainably managed world.
Our livelihood programmes aim to create a strong link between communities and their environment. Through ongoing community training and support in organic and sustainable farming, we empower people to generate alternative incomes while protecting and restoring native biodiversity.
Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, but unsustainable farming practices in both small-holdings and large plantations has seen a dramatic degradation in the quality of water and soil – leading to a loss of biodiversity as well as a loss in income for farmers dependent on the tea sector.
In a holistic programme with a number of partners, we are working to increase farmer’s incomes and protect and restore biodiversity.
The different project threads include:
Conversion to organic agriculture
In a Private Public Partnership (PPP) with the Dutch government and Both Ends, we are working with small holder farmers in Baddegama and the Calsey Tea Estate community in Nuwara Eliya to convert their lands over to organic. This will not only give them a higher value product, but will also increase quality of life by improving the local environment through a reduction in chemical pollution and an increase in biodiversity.
Income diversification
As part of the PPP project in Baddegama, we are promoting a range livelihood opportunities, to help stabilise farmer incomes in times of fluctuating markets. As well as organic tea, strategies include:
Provision of cows, whose milk can be used
to supplement household nutrition and sold on the local market as fresh milk or yoghurt.
Training in processing garden produce, such
as fruits and vegetables, into value added
products such as chutneys.
Hand rolled tea
To add further value we are working with Rainforest Tea Gardens of Sri Lanka to research and develop high-quality, hand-rolled black and green teas. By purchasing the tea from small holders involved in the PPP programme, and working with community members to process it, we can help build long-term livelihood opportunities. The tea is earmarked for sale on both local and international markets.
Tea factory
The Italian organisation GVC are further supporting the tea community in Baddegama by providing funds to build a tea factory. A safe and fully equipped environment in which to process and store tea is an essential step in enabling the community to add value to their produce, rather than just selling the tea leaf on the local market, for the lowest prince in the value chain. Once completed, the factory will be used to produce hand-rolled tea.
School programme
To help build environmental awareness within the Baddegama community, one of the local schools is participating in our Rainforest Ranger programme, which provides fun, practical opportunities for students to learn about the environment. It aims to give children a positive connection to their natural heritage, empower them to take conservation actions and become advocates for environmental conservation in their schools and communities.
» Want to support our work? Get involved!
