Small-scale solutions. Millennium trailblazers 1: Ashok Khosia
Bhatia, R.
People and the Planet 8(4): 16-17
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0968-1655 PMID: 12295547 Document Number: 524190
Development Alternatives (DA) is a nongovernmental organization founded by Ashok Khosla in 1982 that seeks to improve the quality of life for those denied the basics and promote the sustainable use of natural resources in India through the intelligent application of technology. DA focuses on sustainable livelihoods that create several jobs in a village and has by far helped a quarter of a million people. One of its most successful projects can be found in Tikamgarh District where it has trained local villagers to run off-farm enterprises such as paper production. DA is now one of the biggest producers of hand-made paper, producing about 5 tons of paper every month at its plant in Delhi, and 15 tons from its Jhansi plant. DA has also created the most advanced handloom weaving machine called the Flying Shuttle Loom, and a new roofing tile made of microconcrete known as the TARAcrete tile. Aside from creating low cost building materials which has generated immense employment in the housing sector, DA also caters to the larger population through its welfare programs such as the water for life project which ensures water supply in a number of villages. In addition, DA also launched the Delhi Environment Action Network (DEAN) program that is designed to motivate children and others to improve the quality of their neighborhood.