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Mission Statement for ECO SHIVA

The Shivalik Hills Eco Village project

Eco Shiva - This marriage of words appropriately suggests that the project is bi-focal, ecological and spiritual, and this would be correct.

The founder of Eco Shiva is Guru Preet Ji (or Gary Young, as we know him). Gary is Sikh and his favourite picture is that of Guru Nanak working the fields with Bullock drawn plough.

People will come to Eco Shiva to connect with traditional values and to support a lifestyle that is as free from materialism and artifice as possible. What is the natural way? What is our true nature? In answering this question Eco Shiva reserves a special place for peace and quite, a contemplative attitude and a deepening of relationship with the soil, animals and plants.

Eco Shiva is dedicated to providing an authentic and sustainable sense of community to anyone who contributes to the development of Eco Village (e.g. see home build holidays)

In the industrialised world we have come to know all too well the destruction and devastation that results from abandoning the land en-masse, severing our personal connection with the roots of all life and depending on machines and technologies that push us further and further away from the source.

Eco Shiva will develop resources to support smallholder farmers, craftsmen and craftswomen in the region. Many families are struggling to survive, hurt by the shortsighted and exploitative commercial developments that have resulted in deforestation and mono-cultural farming practices. There are reports of soil erosion, the extinction of species (plant and animal) and the failure of the cash-crop economy.

Eco Shiva will advance organic farming and market organically grown fruit and vegetables throughout the region. The best projects are not only conservation minded but restorative, and Eco Shiva will give priority to re-introducing bio-diversity - planting trees, complementary and companion planting of fruits, vegetables, pulses and grains.

Eco Shiva will help rejuvenate the cottage industries and preserve the equipment, skill sets and knowledge upon which these are based.

Eco Shiva will directly supply hand-made and organically produced goods to the homes of a million people in Chandigarh with the help of the 'Rickshaw Kings'. Riders of the famous cycle-rickshaws deserve role model status in respect of their eco-friendly transport achievements and Eco Shiva will act as an advocate for their communities, especially campaigning for better and safer conditions on the roads.

Eco Shiva will make the experience of Ayurveda and Yoga available to everyone involved in the Eco Village and facilitate a cross-cultural sharing of healing wisdom.

The annual Eco Shiva Festival will bring the world`s troubadours together for a tour of hillside communities in the Shivalik range of Northern India, promising a rich cultural exchange based on the sharing of stories and songs, arts and crafts, and the warmth and hospitality of our wonderful home concert hosts.

Wisely, Eco Shiva is listening to the poorest, the youngest and the oldest.

Coming together for work projects and play time

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