As we bid adieu to 2023, a year marked by its highs and lows, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our vibrant community of travelers, volunteers, and supporters of our initiatives who have become part of the Ecosphere family and journeys of change.
This year posed its challenges, with the disastrous floods in Himachal that also impacted the tourist inflow to Spiti. However, in the face of adversity, our resilience and determination prevailed.
Despite the hurdles, 2023 stands as a testament to a year of growth, compassion, and meaningful change. This year, we've actively undertaken a series of initiatives that have allowed us to make a positive impact. Below is a brief on what all we’ve been able to achieve:
- Dental Treatment Camps in Bihar, Uttarakhand & Spiti Valley
- Eye & Ear Camps in Spiti Valley
- Set of Charitable Dental Clinics in Delhi & Kaza, Spiti
- Awareness & Trainings on Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management
- Introduction of Menstrual Cups as an environment-friendly alternative
- Awareness & Training on Mental Health
- Solar Street lighting in Jispa, Lahaul
- Built Solar Passive Rooms in Spiti Valley
- Built Solar passive water storage facilities in Pangmo & Lidang, Spiti
- Feeding of stray dogs through the winter in Spiti
Saving Smiles - Transforming Oral Health in Rural India
Oral health is incredibly important for maintaining the well-being of an individual. Unfortunately, in rural India, access to dental care is extremely poor and as a result, oral health is severely ignored leading to many people suffering from loss of teeth at an early age and dental issues that cripple daily life.
In Spiti, due to poor oral hygiene and lack of treatment availability, adults lose most teeth to cavities by their 40s. Since 2021, we've conducted free dental camps, offering treatment and education in Spiti Valley. Recognizing the challenging situation in most rural India, like in previous years during the winters we expanded our reach beyond Spiti to the interiors of Bihar and Uttarakhand.
In collaboration with Colgate India, we extended our commitment to oral health by distributing toothbrushes among villagers, fostering better dental hygiene practices.
Additionally, we took a significant step by establishing charitable dental clinics in Burari, Delhi and Kaza, Spiti to extend oral healthcare support to bridge the gap in quality dental services.
Bridging Vision Gaps - Eye & Ear Camps in Spiti
Since there are no eye clinics in Spiti, the nearest hope for the locals for vision care is a distant journey away in Shimla or Manali. Due to limited resources and remote locations, the majority of people are unable to undertake this journey and hence never had the chance to get their eyes tested.
We organised Eye and Ear Camp this year in collaboration with Royal Enfield and Dr Shroffs Charity Eye Hospital. It spanned across 10 days and touched the lives of 868 persons in the remote villages of Spiti Valley. Custom-fitted spectacles were distributed to those with vision impairment, and individuals with cataracts underwent treatment in a surgical camp in Kaza in collaboration with Mission Hospital, Manali.
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Spiti Monthly Matters - A Sustainable Approach to Menstrual Health
This year in collaboration with the University of Utah, we conducted training sessions in the villages of Spiti to spread awareness about Menstrual Health and Hygiene. We also built designated pits for the proper disposal of menstrual products.
Working on this program we realised that every year, Spiti Valley generates 10 lakhs + of menstrual waste that finds its way into landfills, pristine rivers and mountains! This leads to pollution and degradation of the environment.
As a way to address this, we collaborated with Sirona and together we initiated a groundbreaking initiative in Spiti by distributing menstrual cups as a sustainable and eco-friendly option.
Mental health awareness
Since 2019, we have embarked on an inspiring collaboration with the brilliant minds of the University of Utah. In 2022, our collaboration took an impactful direction as we turned our attention to mental health. Findings revealed alarming gaps in mental health awareness amongst women.
Alarmed with this invaluable research and the determination to make a difference, in 2023, a comprehensive module on Mental Health was developed. Training of Trainers of women from various villages like Pangmo, Demul, Langza and Kwang was undertaken to empower women. Through continued education and training, we hope to raise awareness about mental health and provide the necessary tools and resources.
Overcoming Darkness with Solar Street Lights
Himalayan valleys experience inconsistent electricity supply, with prolonged power cuts, particularly during winter when snow disrupts power lines. Reliable electricity is crucial for household and educational activities due to short daylight hours in the winter. In the remote interiors of Himachal, where access to conventional electricity may be limited, solar streetlights play a pivotal role.
In 2023, in collaboration with Royal Enfield, we installed 80 solar street lights in the village of Jispa in Lahaul.
Solar Passive Rooms for 3 Families
In Spiti's severe winters with temperatures dropping to -30 degrees, communities traditionally use wood and dung for warmth, emitting harmful greenhouse gases. To address this, we introduced solar passive rooms—simple architectural enhancements that capture solar heat and maintain indoor temperatures above 10°C without external heating.
This year we built 3 additional solar passive rooms in Spiti.
Transforming Water Access with Solar Water Storage
In Spiti, water is a precious resource, with most villages relying on fresh water from glaciers and springs replenished by winter snow. Unfortunately, climate change has led to reduced snowfall which has impacted the availability of water. To address this, we've installed solar water pumps in various villages combined with water storage facilities encased in a passive solar building to prevent the water from freezing over, ensuring sustainable water access in the region. These facilities are a crucial multi-utility resource not just for storing water but also as heated community spaces for bathing and washing clothes.
This year we built 2 such multi-utility Solar passive water storage facilities in Pangmo and Lidang.
Enhancing Nutrition with Greenhouse
Spiti's harsh winter prevents the growth of green vegetables, affecting nutrition. Villagers have to rely on vegetables brought from the plains, making them expensive and difficult to obtain. To address this, we've built 150+ greenhouses in Spiti, ensuring year-round availability of fresh produce.
This year, we provided training to locals, focusing on enhancing vegetable yields and imparting skills in greenhouse repair and maintenance.
Animal Welfare
The Spiti strays have to face the harsh realities of winter as food scarcity turns them into predators, preying on livestock and smaller dogs. The dog feeding program was initiated to prevent the dogs from becoming feral and encourage the local communities to befriend them.
This year the Dog feeding program continued in summer and winter, providing meals for 300+ dogs.
Bridging Educational Gaps
Limited access to high schools and senior secondary schools in most Spiti villages contributes to high dropout rates, especially for girls from low-income families. The absence of a local college forces youth to migrate to larger cities, posing financial challenges and leading many, especially girls, to discontinue their education beyond school.
This year also, we continue to provide scholarships with a focus on education for girls, along with support to children from low-income or single-parent families. Notably, one of our former volunteers is now supporting a girl who recently lost her father, bringing the total count of kids being supported to 7.
Our Motorbiking Expedition Kicked-Off
This year marked the exhilarating launch of our motorbiking expedition ‘Ride the Himalayan Dream’, led by none other than our dedicated team member, Deepak. The success of this inaugural trip can be seen in the unforgettable memories and new connections created.
Our Volunteers: The Heartbeat of Positive Change
Our invaluable volunteers are the heart of transformative change in Spiti who actively contribute to our initiatives and cause-driven enterprises. Their dedication and involvement truly make our world go round.
Sol Café - our Café with a Cause:
Sol Cafe in Kaza brews more than just coffee; it's a cosy retreat where speciality teas, handmade chocolates, and global bakes converge. Nestled in a warm ambience, it's not just about the delectable treats but the connections made among travellers here.
Thanking each of our Sol volunteers for being part of the change: Misha, Gunjan, Akshay, Karthik, Utsa, Milan, Shreya, Rachna and Shweta.
Taste of Spiti - our fusion Restaurant:
Taste of Spiti is a culinary bridge between Spiti's traditional flavours and global cuisine. The goal is not just to serve food but also to share and promote the unique ingredients and cuisine of Spiti.
Thanking each of our volunteers for being part of the change: Vidhi, Sonali, Rohit and Apeksha
Create for a Cause
Our volunteers of creative heads helped us creatively document Ecosphere and MUSE initiatives in Spiti along with shaping our social media strategy and helping in creating souvenirs for our merchandise. Our warm gratitude to Shraddha, Prachi, Rashmi, Aishwarya and Erin.
Be a Changemaker
This program harnesses the skills of our volunteers, channelling their learning to create a positive impact on communities. A heartfelt thanks to Saneeya for being an integral part of this change.
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Farming Feats
Spiti relies heavily on agriculture, but the harsh desert climate allows only one crop annually. Farmers work tirelessly in the short summers, as their entire year's livelihood hinges on this effort. With a small population, every helping hand is precious to them!
Thank you Chethan and Dhivya for lending a helping hand in the agricultural practices.
Celebrating and Creating Memories
Adding a touch of celebration to our journey, we organized a special trip to Chandratal during summer, where our staff and volunteers came together to celebrate birthdays and joyous moments. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Chandratal, we shared laughter and stories.
Bidding Adieu
A heartfelt goodbye is extended to Dhruv, our former social media manager. Dhruv's journey with us comes to a close as he embarks on a new chapter, having successfully gained admission to Columbia University. We couldn't be prouder of his achievements. Thank you, Dhruv, for being a part of the Ecosphere family!
A Warm Welcome to Our New Team Members
Meet our newest staff members: Tashi, Head Chef at Sol Cafe; Angdui, Assistant Chef at Taste of Spiti; Dhawang, Helper at our hotel Osel Rooms; and Tanisha, our Social Media Manager. Welcoming them to the Ecosphere family, where each brings their talents to enrich our team!
Features
Ishita, the founder of Ecosphere, has been selected for the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10K Women program. This noteworthy recognition stands as a testament to Ishita's leadership, dedication, and the impactful work she has championed at Ecosphere. We take immense pride in this achievement.
Partners
What we do in Spiti would not be possible without the support of our incredible partners. We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to:
- Adit Foundation
- Alfa Biomed India Pvt Ltd
- Colgate India
- Earthy Hues Tours
- Eicher Group Foundation
- Sirona
- University of Utah
- Unwild Planet Travels
Individual Supporters of Our Initiatives
A heartfelt thank you to these invaluable individuals whose generosity and support have been the driving force behind the success of our transformative initiatives.
- Adrian Sequeira
- Ankur Sharma
- Aswin Kumar
- Bikers for India
- Gayatri Subramanium
- Manas Sharma
- Manish Rejhwani
- Surbhi Sharma
- Swapnil Walimbe
- Vijnesh Kumar
- Vineeta Sajlan
2023 will be etched in our memories as a chapter of growth, compassion, and impactful change. Here's to a remarkable year behind us and the promising journey that lies ahead in 2024.
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