Sustainable Livelihood Program

“A livelihood is sustainable when it can not only weather challenges but also enhance its capabilities and assets for the future, all while respecting our natural resources.”

Sustainable Livelihood Program

“A livelihood is sustainable when it can not only weather challenges but also enhance its capabilities and assets for the future, all while respecting our natural resources.”

Sustainable Livelihood

A livelihood is sustainable when it can not only weather challenges but also enhance its capabilities and assets for the future, all while respecting our natural resources.
In the tapestry of India’s development journey, tribal communities have been at the heart of careful attention and planning, aiming to elevate their socio-economic status and living standards. Despite numerous state interventions, historical oppressions, land alienation, and social discrimination have continued to marginalise these communities. Kerala’s development model, while achieving significant strides, has also highlighted the persistent socio-economic challenges faced by Scheduled Tribes in the state (KSTDD 2013).
Structural and institutional lapses, coupled with the aftermath of the 2018 floods, have intensified the struggles of tribal households in Pathanamthitta and Kulathupuzha. Over 54.4% of Scheduled Tribe families in Pathanamthitta district find themselves below the poverty line (KSTDD 2013), underscoring the urgent need for targeted and context-specific interventions to address livelihood disruptions.

zero budget natural farming
organic farming practices

In response to these critical needs, the Sustainable Livelihood Development Programme is now underway. Thanal’s livelihood work focuses on enabling economically viable and ecologically sustainable pathways through approaches such as organic farming practices and zero-budget natural farming systems, while strengthening community capacities and ownership. Through these efforts, Thanal seeks to uplift marginalised communities in Pathanamthitta, Kulathupuzha, and other forest-linked regions, empowering them not only to cope with challenges but to build resilient and self-reliant livelihoods over the long term.

Our Objectives Speak Volumes

Smart Livelihood Practices

Embrace sustainable practices, from livestock rearing to skill development, unlocking regional opportunities

Community Unity

We’re fostering unity through organized communities and strategic interventions

Economic Empowerment

Elevate socio-economic conditions and overall well-being through targeted initiatives.

Women and Youth Empowerment

Empower women and youth through skill development, transforming them into catalysts for change

Migration Mitigation

Keep communities strong by creating local, sustainable livelihood options.

Latest News and Updates

20 YEARS OF ORGANIC JOURNEY:Organic Bazaar

In Kerala, small-scale farmers face challenges accessing stable markets and fair prices for their organic produce. Thanal addressed this with Organic Bazaar, pioneering fair trade practices and uniting consumers and farmers. Established in 2003 as the first organic shop in Trivandrum, Organic Bazaar supports around 2000 local farmers. Beyond sales, it promoted organic farming and community engagement. Started as a monthly event, it expanded to biweekly markets, fostering knowledge exchange and environmental awareness.

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Now a full-fledged shop, Organic Bazaar offers a wide range of certified organic products, maintaining a commitment to sustainability and fair trade. With over 20 years of unwavering dedication, Organic Bazaar continues to lead the way in promoting organic principles and creating a greener, healthier future. https://g.co/kgs/8uTP9Ap

Sustainable Livelihood Program Sparks Community Upliftment in Kurumbanmoozhi

In the quaint tribal hamlet of Kurumbanmoozhi, the Pulari Self-Help Group, born out of the TDF program, is creating waves of positive change. Originally selling dried fish, their vision expanded after a training session on fodder cultivation, leading them to embrace tapioca and plantain cultivation for additional income.

Biodiversity monitoring is crucial for understanding the health of ecosystems and identifying any changes or threats they may face.

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Witnessing success, the Pulari group decided to pay it forward. They raised funds to provide medical grants and distributed essential food items to the less fortunate in a nearby orphanage. The 15-member group actively participates in posthumous ceremonies, offering consolation and financial aid to grieving families.

Jeevanam Utensil Bank Promotes Sustainable Celebrations and Community Livelihoods

A new chapter in sustainable community development began with the launch of the Jeevanam Utensil Bank, an initiative that promotes eco-friendly celebrations while creating livelihood opportunities within the local community. Supported by RWDI and implemented by Thanal, the initiative was inaugurated by Rahul V. S., Director of RWDI India, through the handover of utensils to members of the Keerthi Self Help Group (SHG) at Lakshmi Menon Memorial Hall, Kowdiar.

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The utensil bank provides reusable plates, glasses, serving vessels, and other utensils for community functions, helping reduce dependence on single-use plastics and disposable products. By making reusable alternatives easily accessible, the initiative encourages environmentally responsible practices at events, festivals, meetings, and social gatherings.

Managed by the Keerthi SHG of Kulathupuzha, Jeevanam operates as a community-based rental service that combines environmental responsibility with local economic opportunities. The initiative demonstrates how practical, reusable solutions can reduce waste while supporting sustainable community enterprises.

Through Jeevanam, communities now have greater access to affordable alternatives to disposable products, making sustainable celebrations more accessible and helping reduce the environmental footprint of public events and gatherings.

Empowering Tribal Youth:Para-Vetenary Training Program

In a breakthrough initiative, the collaborative efforts of NABARD, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Thanal have culminated in a highly successful Para-veterinary training program at KVK Thadiyoor. Guided by Dr. Sency Mathew, thirteen individuals from five hamlets have emerged as a proficient Para-vet group after ten days of transformative training. Armed with enhanced skills in animal husbandry, this group is now not only capable of providing emergency medical aid in tribal settlements but also symbolizes a significant stride towards self-sufficiency in the community. The practical exposure gained, including a visit to a hi-tech dairy farm in Kuriyottumala, Kollam, reinforces advanced farming techniques, fostering a sense of independence and resilience among tribal youth. This remarkable outcome marks a decisive step in empowering the tribal community towards sustainable and self-sufficient livelihoods.

Climate Resilience Kerala Thanal

Climate Resilient Communities

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This campaign stems from two roundtable discussions held in Kerala between September 2016 and January 2017. Thanal, Climate Action Network South Asia, Phia, and UNICEF’s climate change and disaster risk […]

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Just Transition Kerala Thanal

Living Ecosystem

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The current ‘Development’ paradigm unfortunately do not consider the totality of eco systems which supports lives and livelihoods of people. The engines of ‘Development’ which are motivated by temporary profits […]

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