Abstract

This case discusses Alaknanda Ghaati Shilpi Federation (AAGAAS), a non-profit organization in a small town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, a state in northern India. It discusses how AAGAAS aimed at development in the region through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods aimed at creating a resilient community. The organization also set up a bio-diversity park with the stated objective of promoting bio tourism as a livelihood alternative for the local communities. However, the tragedy that took place at Uttarakhand in June 2013 challenged AAGAAS. This tragedy challenged Maithani to sustain the organization which was already engaged in local craft promotion and many other initiatives for community development including sustainable livelihoods. Maithani was facing a shortage of funds along with lack of skilled manpower. He wondered whether it was feasible to transform his organization into a for-profit organisation but was skeptical about the transformation in light of the recent tragedy. However, he wondered what would be a viable business model that could generate sustainable livelihood options for the poor while at the same time helping to conserve the fragile ecosystem of the region.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• To discuss economic, social, and environmental resilience in communities prone to natural disasters and make the region financially sustainable.
• To recognize the importance of environmental conservation and how it impacts the lives of the poor people in the mountain regions
• To appreciate the challenges of addressing sustainable livelihood and poverty alleviation in hilly regions.

Keywords

Sustainable Development, Sustainable Livelihood, Disaster Prone Communities, Disaster Resilience, Uttarakhand, India,Scaling Up, Mountainous Regions, Human Resource Development, Community Development, Bio-Tourism, Religious Tourism, Environment Conservation, Poverty Alleviation, Leadership