The forest resource conservation in Liziba faces many challenges in various aspects, which hinder the active participation of local residents in the protection of natural resources and the sustainability of the environment. These challenges include illegal logging, theft of timber, illegal purchase of wood, poaching of wild animals, and deforestation for farming. In addition, traditional living habits that rely entirely on forest resources, such as building houses and meeting basic needs like heating and cooking, also cause destruction to forest resources and ecosystems.

Farmers were introduced to principles of balanced nutrient management. This includes the role of macro- and micronutrients, visible signs of imbalance and site-appropriate application methods such as soil-based, foliar and fertigation techniques. A strong emphasis was placed on avoiding over-fertilisation, which increases input costs, reduces yields, and harms the environment.

To guide fertilisation decisions, recommendations were also shared on how to monitor nutrient status through soil and leaf analysis. This included when and how to collect, process, and interpret samples to detect nutrient imbalances not always visible through plant symptoms which supports more targeted nutrient use and long-term soil health.

The solar-powered biofermenter is a low-emission solution that automates the preparation of biological inputs such as jeevamrut, amritpani, and brahmastra used in natural farming. It addresses key challenges in the manual preparation process, which is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and physically demanding due to the need for daily stirring and the strong smell of fermenting materials.

The system comprises two tanks (for fermentation and filtration), a battery-powered motor, and a time controller. The fermenter operates entirely on solar energy and features an automatic slurry stirrer that stirs the mixture six times a day, supplying oxygen at regular intervals to support microbial activity and consistent fermentation. The six-stage filtration process allows the output to be used across different application methods: as slurry for soil application, as a filtered solution for foliar spraying, or through drip irrigation systems.

The biofermenter can be adopted at the individual farm level or as part of a shared model. In the community-based approach, one farmer becomes a service provider, preparing natural inputs and supplying them to nearby farmers for a nominal fee. This model supports local entrepreneurship and facilitates broader access to high-quality biological inputs, even for farmers who may not have the time or capacity to operate the fermenter themselves.

Regional biodiversity and pollination services are influenced by the collective choices made by all farmers, local institutions, and other stakeholders in a community, especially regarding the use of chemical inputs. To foster broader awareness and behavioural change, GIC rolled out an awareness campaign that extended beyond the project’s direct beneficiaries. It reached over 2000 people across Shimla and Kullu, including the wider farming community, students and local decision-makers. The awareness workshops were conducted in 15 village-level meetings in the local Gram Panchayats (local governance bodies), sessions in 20 schools, colleges, and industrial training centres, and workshops with 49 local Self-Help Groups.

In a more targeted component GIC conducted in-depth workshops with six collaborating Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) directly aimed at changing on farm practices. At these and other campaign events, participants shared specific problems, discussed challenges, and proposed alternatives to harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers, drawing on their own experiences and local practices.

To ensure this community input informed future decisions, GIC conducted a joint workshop with the University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF) and the Department of Horticulture (DoH), enabling feedback to reach both policy and research institutions.

To further extend the reach, the campaign distributed best-practice posters on pollination and sustainable input use in local Gram Panchayats and hosted stalls at village fairs and festivals, were the broader communities of Shimla and Kullu were engaged.

To complement pollination-related benefits and promote income diversification, the project introduced beekeeping and honey processing as an additional livelihood activity for apple-growing households. Farmers and micro-entrepreneurs were supported to integrate beekeeping into their existing farming systems, with a focus on the use of the native honeybee species Apis cerana. Participants received training on beekeeping practices, hive management, and the value-added processing of honey and related products. These activities contribute to increased resilience through alternative income sources and create economic incentives to conserve pollinator populations. By connecting pollination services with tangible livelihood benefits, the intervention encourages more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly orchard management.

To strengthen pollination services in apple orchards and support declining pollinator populations, on-farm nesting sites were introduced using simple, locally adapted methods. These included the installation of mud hives and bee hotels designed to provide shelter for both indigenous honeybees, such as Apis cerana, and wild pollinators. Native pollinator species are well suited to local climatic conditions and play a key role in apple pollination. Wild pollinators such as native bees can remain active under cooler conditions, which can limit honeybee activity. Creating nesting options directly on farms helps maintain pollinator presence during critical flowering periods and complements broader pollinator-supportive practices. The use of low-cost, locally available materials makes these measures practical and replicable in similar contexts.

The simplest and cheapest pollination measure is the protection of bees and other pollinators in orchards, as these insects play an essential role in pollinating fruit trees. To this end, GIC promoted a dual approach which combines protective farming practices with the creation of on-farm habitats for pollinators.

Farmers were encouraged to adopt bee-friendly practices such as avoiding pesticide use during flowering, applying only, when necessary, with the right techniques and appropriate dosages, maintaining floral diversity throughout the year, and close coordination with beekeepers. These measures help reduce harm to pollinators, cut input costs, and minimize chemical residues.

Complementing these practices, farmers installed simple, locally made nesting structures such as mud hives and bee hotels to support indigenous honeybees and wild pollinators. These native species are well adapted to local conditions and often remain active under cooler temperatures, making them especially valuable during critical flowering periods.

With the younger generation carrying on the work, and the women continuing to infuse the community with strength and pride, Jarife remains a resilient force in Chipiona. As the association advocates for policies that will support the weirs’ preservation, its members strive to pass down the knowledge and values that make Jarife unique. In a world where traditions are increasingly difficult to maintain, the corrales de pesca stand as symbols of what can be achieved when communities come together. As one member said, “The weirs are part of us. When you’re out there, you feel connected—not only to the sea but to all the people who were here before.” For Jarife, that connection is as enduring as the tide itself, renewing with each generation. 

For many women in Jarife, their connection to the weirs has been a lifelong part of Chipiona’s community life. One member, Maria, a 54-year-old homemaker, has known about the weirs all her life but she started partaking later on. “I don’t go often, but when I do, it’s wonderful,” she shares, adding that she usually goes fish harvesting with a friend. While she might not have the same daily ties to the corrales as other commoners, her connection runs deep. “Seeing the weirs and knowing they were nearly lost makes me feel like I’m part of something important”.

Her visits to the weirs are a way of reconnecting with her hometown’s traditions, and though she’s not directly involved in their upkeep, she’s proud of what Jarife stands for. For her, the weirs are more than just places to capture fish and other marine species. They symbolize Chipiona’s identity and resilience—qualities she hopes to pass down to future generations. “I’d love to know we’ve given our children at least what we received from our elders,” she reflects. “It’s not just about preserving the environment; it’s about keeping a unique part of our heritage alive.”

For young members of Jarife, joining the common usually begins at a very early age, with families signing them up to keep the tradition alive. Many young commoners, like David, were introduced to the weirs simply by joining family outings, often at night. “I started going to the tide very young, first just accompanying my father, and then later going alone when I was able to,” he recalls. Growing up, he continued his visits to the corrales, taking on more responsibility as he learned the skills to sustain the weirs. Today, his connection to the weirs goes beyond practical knowledge. For him, it’s deeply personal—a link to his family’s past and to the timeless nature of the corrales. As he explains, “Especially during night tides, in complete darkness, I think about how many people have done exactly what I’m doing now, long before me. It’s a feeling that connects me to my ancestors.” In Chipiona, the corrales are visible from the beaches and are often mistaken by tourists as natural formations. For the young members of Jarife, it’s both amusing and exasperating to see visitors snapping pieces of corrales, unaware of the history and effort that have gone into constructing these stone fishing weirs.