MANALI

Manali (altitude of 6,398 feet), is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is located about 250 kilometres north of state capital, Shimla. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh. Manali and the surrounding area have great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages. It is known for its beautiful pristine forest of Nehru Park and serves as a base camp for trekking and mountaineering expeditions. Manali also has all the environmental problems associated with an ecologically, culturally and economically conducive place of human settlement. Recognising these concerns, FSL-India organises camps so as to address the environmental issues. To organise the camps, FSL-India cooperates with several local organisations that work on environmental issues. It focuses on a variety of short-term projects which include environmental protection, afforestation, tree planting, working along several NGOs to spread health and hygiene awareness among the local community. The work camp involves teaching children from poor and marginalized community in the non-formal schools about basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene, and Environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games etc. There will also be house visits and meetings with local rural people as part of inter-cultural learning and to give awareness on health, education and hygiene. Volunteers also will get a chance to take part in simple renovation work at local schools/orphanages and engage in activities like painting, making Kitchen garden, tree plantation, promoting rainwater harvesting etc. As part of the cultural exchange, volunteers will witness and participate in the cultural programs with local community. Volunteers will take part in trekking activities around the mountains.