National Council of Civil liberties (NCCl), a Gujarat-based NGO completed — ‘Rainbow Hills’ — project to modernise houses of picturesque Vanaj village in North Gujarat in an attempt to transform it into eco-tourism destination.
The ambitious project was launched on 21st November, 2014 in Sabarkantha district to reconstruct and repair houses of the village. After almost a month’s time, the project completed with renovated houses having cement sheeted rooftops. The aim of the project is to provide basic amenities to the poor villagers without disturbing their lifestyle, traditions and surroundings, said NCCl president VK Saxena.
“Villagers have also been guided to rent out their neatly repaired rooms to the tourists interested in eco-tourism. This activity will generate extra income for them,” said Saxena. According to him, NCCl completed reconstruction & repair of walls, floor, roof, Varendas, of 10 selected houses.
NCCl did a detail survey before starting re-construction and repairing work of houses owned by the tribal people. The village situated on a small hillock facing a huge picturesque lake. The NGO selected those houses constructed by members of tribal community using mud for walls and local wood for ceiling. The selected houses were in dilapidated and unhygienic condition. The idea was to give a practical solution to improve the living standard of poor tribal people of Vanaj village, he added.
Transparent PVC Sheets have also fixed in the middle of the roof top for providing natural light during day time, said Saxena, adding, "Since the tribal people cook food inside the room by using wood, lots of smoke is generated in the room which causes health problems to them. Keeping it in mind PVC pipes diameter have fixed as Chimney in different corners in the room's roof to provide enough air circulation. Separate toilets have also been constructed."
NCCl is a non-profitable multi dimensional social organization which has actively taken interest and participation in issues pertaining to public and national interest and has always remained in the forefront in raising issues against self appointed environmentalists and institutions to prevent perpetration of injustice.
NCCl in the past successfully implemented a unique practical, positive and participatory project, Mission ENDURE, in Ahmedabad City in association with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), to reduce dust pollution by constructing footpaths from pre-cast Cement Concrete blocks.
