About Us

Organizational Background

Established in 1996, Ecology, Agriculture and Rural Development Society (ECARDS), Dolakha was registered in District Administration Office Dolakha on 11th Baishak 2053 B.S.( April 23, 1996) It is non-for-profit, non-governmental organization accredited in Social Welfare Council, Nepal.

During its inception, democracy in Dolakha was in infancy stage, and it was not institutionalized up to the grass root level. Although the democratic environment was being first-rate, the framework of development was not penetrated up to the grass root level. Due to political instability and ineffective government system, Dolakhalee people, especially people of remote villages did not have taste of development. During its establishment phase, there was a natural disaster in some VDCs which resulted into a humanitarian crisis and livelihood problems. In addition to that, the existing social, gender, increasing unemployment and economic gaps between poor and rich has created a remarkable poverty gaps.

In the initial phase, the organization worked for natural disaster management, safe drinking water, non-formal education, irrigation, community forestry development, capacity development of agriculture and forest based labors. In first phase (1996-1999), immediate action to flood victims, aid package, natural disaster preparedness, drinking water, irrigation, and some immediate packages to people were provided. In second phase (2000-2002), community based institutional development such as CFUG formation and reformulation, handing over, CFUG governance coaching, CFUG well-being ranking, reflect training, report writing, proposal writing and Junior Veterinary facilitators in the village level.

In third phase (2003 onward), the major focus of the program was on sustainable soil management, sustainable community based micro enterprise development, return and reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG),  natural resource management and food security, rural infrastructure development, forest and agriculture based enterprise development for economic security, protection of human rights, farmer to farmer agriculture extension and implementation of risk mitigation and preparedness measures of hydro meteorological induced disasters at community and local administration level. In this stage, the program was implemented in multi-partnership approach. Appreciation of integrated development, clear target groups, development agenda based on time-frame, and activeness to the causes are the key features of ECARDS-Dolakha.

Vision Statement:

ECARDS-Dolakha aims to ascertain an ideal social environment for a safe and respected livelihood of every member of rural community including excluded and marginalized members of the society to establish equitable and prosperous society, to restore licit agricultural economy through empowered human resource, agricultural production and productivity, natural resource management and improved physical infrastructure and market development.

Mission Statement

We are dedicated to shore up in increasing access of communities in locally available resource management for poverty reduction through people’s empowerment to set up an unprejudiced society, defend the natural world and promote peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, and championing environmentally responsible solutions, to restore licit agricultural economy through increasing production and productivity, natural resource management, improved physical infrastructure and market development.

Goal

This project focuses on humanitarian, Biodiversity, Livelihood, Societal issue contribute to patterns.

• Relatively General-Broadly defined to encompass all project activities 
• Visionary-Inspirational in outlining the desired change in the state of the targets toward which the   project is working 
• Brief-Simple and succinct so that  all project participants can remember it    
• A specific statement of principles or guiding actions that imply clear commitment by the organisation;
• A statement of values or intent that provides a basis for consistent decision-making and resource allocation;
• A definite method or course of action selected to guide and determine present and future decisions.

 Objectives

• To promote non timber forest product and Agro-based enterprises for the income generation of rural people.
• To promote disaster resilience community enhancing their capability to cope with natural hazards.
• To provide support to children associated with armed forces and armed groups to reintegrate into the society.
• Conduct peace building activities through child/youth clubs for conflict management in the community.
• Implement sustainable and integrated rural development programs related to health, education, agriculture, forestry, land, renewal energy technology, water and environment based on resource endowments and comparative advantages of the working area;
• Organize sustainable community development and awareness programs for the benefit of poor and disadvantage rural people;
• Improve living standard of rural people by helping them develop their skill and subsequently by assisting them in implementing income generating activities in close coordination and cooperation with national and international organizations;
• Implement gender specific programs, Trafficking prevention and care, family planning and population activities, peace and governance activities;
• Create employment opportunities and assist in tourism development activities and exploration of tourist spots in the region;
• Preserve and protect culture and cultural heritage of the region; and Organize trainings, awareness programs, exploratory and service motive activities.
• Distinguish between species, populations, communities, ecosystems and biomes.
• Understand the factors that affect population size, density, distribution, and dynamics.
• To develop an integrated and environmentally organic waste management system that ensures the adequate collection and treatment with sustainable methods, in tourist areas with close agricultural activity.
• To involve the different necessary stakeholders to ensure the proper application of the project: municipalities, tourist activities, “existing recyclers” and farmers, collection and treatment companies and other complementary agents.
• Improvement of the local organization and the waste stakeholders’ relationships (with a strengthened public and private partnership).
• Enhancement of local waste management services and organization at all levels.
• Improvement of the local environment and economy, especially enhancing agricultural and recycling sectors, improving at the same time those in the country.
• Adaptation and creation of waste management employment and improvement of the working conditions (also for “existent recyclers” involved).

  Organizational Values

  ECARDS-Dolakha is committed to

  • Working with efficiency and long term sustainability.
  • Adoption of participatory and democratic approach in all level.
  • Adoption of do no harm approach.
  • Implementing programs in right based approach.
  • Adopting locally available resources.
  • Enhancement of integrated rural development.
  • Valuing the principle of social justice, and empowerment of youth, women, child and marginalized communities.
  • Believe in the power of committed youth individuals and organization who want to contribute to a sustainable development.