Special features of the organization
Kovel Foundation with an aim to improve the quality of lives of tribal communities has been able to reach more than 20000 tribal families across the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and made significant contributions in terms of increased food, income and health security with special focus on forest resource conservation and management besides women empowerment. About 650 village level producer groups which are being federated at different levels covering 13000 tribal families have been promoted. The tribals have been rigorously trained on scientific management of NTFP/Medicinal plants such as Gum Karaya, Honey, Tamarind, Amla, Kalmegh, Guduchi, Sugandhi, Nannari, etc ensuring more incomes through value addition, processing and marketing. They were supplied with required tools being used for scientific management and processing as well. , As part of addressing issues related to livelihoods of tribal communities, agriculture has also been put on top since it is another priority livelihood for them covering more than 7000 acres with interventions including SRI promotion, millets promotion, NTFP/Horticulture plantation, MAPs cultivation, vegetables, agro-forestry models for food/nutrition/income security ensuring promotion of practicing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in all the mentioned agricultural interventions.Kovel also has been focusing on Infrastructure development which led to construction of 10 Godowns cum drying platforms, rural haat, Gravity Fed Water Supply Systems for irrigation and drinking water, etc. Kovel identifies endangered and potential species with regard to NTFP/MAPs which are being raised in centralized nurseries across the Districts in the State of Andhra Pradesh. , Resource material such as technical protocols, training modules, etc for trainees and trainers is being developed by Kovel and improvisation of the same is a regular process. About 300 tribals covering both men and women are being nurtured as Community Resource Persons (CRPs) with an objective to let the need communities access their services at their door steps. , Kovel has been recognized as resource cum training agencyat both State and National level and awarded Biodiversity Conserver Award, Bharat Excellence Award, Raithu Nestham Award, Giri Jyothi Award, etc
