In 2013 Kadamba took the initiative to form the Betta Balakedaarara Sangha (BBS) in Uttara Kannada, to conserve the privileged forest lands (Betta lands) given to areca nut farmers during the British period — lands with more than 200 years of history.
Background
Protecting the environment and conserving forests is an utmost priority for Kadamba. Since its early days it has worked through seminars, street plays, socio-cultural awareness, school and college programmes, plantation drives through SHGs and agroforestry.
Betta lands once had thick natural forest cover, but it is alarmingly decreasing and turning to grassland through neglect and over-exploitation. People are now coming forward, and the local forest department has joined hands in this holistic, pro-environment approach.
Activities
- Conserving and protecting Betta land
- Providing a legal framework for forming Betta user groups and associations
- Increasing forest density through reforestation with the State Forest Department
- Developing income-generating community forests with new plant varieties beyond timber
