To transform the society into a just, loving and sustainable, social order where Gospel values are lived and nurtured.

To restore human dignity of the oppressed, exploited and marginalized people of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan through a process of empowerment.

Darjeeling is part of the Eastern Himalayas, a bio-diversity hotspot and endemism. The life and livelihoods of the people of the Darjeeling Hills is intricately linked with the natural resources with more than 70% of the people’s livelihoods dependant on natural resources.  The area provides tremendous ecological services and reinvestment in the people and natural resources is not commensurate to these services. The natural resources of the region, is undergoing rapid degradation which threatens livelihoods of communities.

The rural areas of Darjeeling are far flung and communication infrastructure pitiable. Access to the market is extremely difficult which, has led to an accentuated exploitative market structure. Remuneration for agricultural produce is extremely low as individual farmers find it difficult to access the market. The villagers also take credit from the informal sector at extremely high interest rates which range from 60% to 120% per annum. Thus the farmers of the hills are in a constant cycle of debt and low remuneration which entraps them in poverty. There is also reducing yields from agriculture due to environmental degradation and population increase. There is increasing unsafe out-migration.

More than 70% of the energy needs of the rural people are provided by firewood adding to the factors of deforestation. Deforestation is a complex problem and cannot be attributed to a single factor. Some of them are: malfunctioning of the administration, corruption, energy needs and unemployment. This has led to serious problems of landslides during the monsoons and water scarcity during the summer months. A recent trend is the influx of wild animals in the agricultural fields due to loss of their habitat.

The strategy focuses on the development organic agriculture as a basis of sustainable natural resource management. The promotion of organic agriculture is a holistic and integrated approach as a way of life with individual and community roles and responsibilities. Organic agriculture promotes a healthy environment as well as access to fast increasing niche organic market. The strategy promotes organic farming with small farmers with capacity building on technological inputs on organic farming and animal husbandry, strengthening of farmer’s collectives, development of Internal Control and Regulation Systems of organic farming and promotion of linkages.