In the remote village of Maykot, situated in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, a region vulnerable to recurring climate emergencies faces Persistent heavy rainfall and devastating landslides—phenomena increasingly common in the Himalayan region. A critical challenge threatened the daily lives of the residents as the recurrent floods and landslides had severely damaged a 30-foot stretch of the village’s primary thoroughfare. It was not only difficult to walk on but also posed a grave risk to children commuting to school, as it ran alongside a deep valley without any protective boundary. The damaged infrastructure created a perpetual state of anxiety among village families, with each journey carrying the risk of potentially fatal accidents.
Mobilizing Local Assets: From Vulnerability to Collective Action
Determined to reclaim their village’s safety, over 100 residents of Maykot united under Goonj’s Cloth for Work (CFW) initiative. Rather than waiting for external intervention, the Maykot community turned from passive recipients of aid to active participants of their own solution. Recognizing their collective strength, they took ownership of the challenge and gathered the necessary resources. Stones were sourced from a location 2 kilometers away, carried by hand, and repurposed to reinforce the road. Their voluntary efforts showcased the power of grassroots wisdom and co-creative problem-solving. This effort was a testament to their resilience and self-sufficiency, proving that communities can drive impactful change with dignity and collective action.
Community Members Restoring Road in Maykot
Empowerment Through Action: Building More Than Infrastructure
The road repair initiative became a catalyst for community empowerment and capability development. By working collectively, villagers reinforced not just the damaged roadway but also their social bonds and shared identity. This process validated the effectiveness of grassroots wisdom in addressing complex problems, even in regions where conventional development resources are scarce.
Monika Devi, a participant in the initiative, shared, “We were always afraid to send our children to school, fearing they might fall into the valley. With the road and wall repaired, we are at peace.”
Village head Veerpal Bisht applauded the community’s efforts, stating, “The people have worked tirelessly to fix the road. I will now secure government funds to make the repairs permanent.”
Rebuilt Safe Pathway in Maykot, Uttarakhand
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
