2001

Himmotthan Pariyojna Inititated

In 2001, Tata Trusts, India's oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations, initiated the Himmothan Pariyojana (HMP) to focus on the causes of rural poverty in the central Himalayan regions of India. The focus of the programme is mainly on enhancing livelihoods through farm, non-farm and forest based activities, market development, sustainable water availability and use, sanitation and natural resource management.

2004

MoU with Sate Government of Uttarakhand

In 2004, this involvement was strengthened by a MoU signed between the State Government of Uttarakhand and the Trusts for a period of 10 years.

2007

Registration of Himmotthan Society

In 2005, following recommendations of a strategic plan, a State based cell was set up to develop, coordinate and monitor the programme. In December 2007, the cell was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as the ‘Himmotthan Society’. Apart from monitoring, evaluating and handholding for the programs, Himmotthan’s mandate includes idea incubation by implementing pilots, up-scaling strategies for successful pilots, database management, linking to government schemes and programmes, liaison and fund raising. The results of these interventions are successful community managed initiatives which contribute directly to increment in rural income, resource management and conservation.

2008-09

Partnership with UBFDB & UOCB

Taking this understanding with the State Government forward, Himmotthan has partnered with Govt. Boards such as the Uttarakhand Bamboo & Fiber Development Board (UBFDB) and the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB). The Partnership with UBFDB was instrumental in supporting the propagation and diversification of bamboo and natural fiber resources of the state through value addition measures. The traditional bamboo and natural fiber resource base artisans of Uttarakhand were supported by this collaboration. In addition to this, the State’s mission to promote organic farming with the establishment of UOCB was also supported by the Trusts.

2014

MoU renewed with State Government of Uttarakhand

Taking the understanding forward, the MoU with State Government of Uttarakhand was renewed for another 10 years in 2014 to collaboratively work on rural development. Networking with various government departments and tapping into government schemes for dovetailing of funds and activities is a basic underlying theme across all programs developed at Himmotthan. Coordination of works with the State Government and with various partner organization therefore, is a major component of Himmotthan’s activities. Eventually, the rural development mandate of the organization, with a specific focus on natural resource management, is upheld through successful, community managed initiatives which contribute directly to income increase, resource management and conservation. Himmotthan's State-wide activities are overseen and approved by a State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) headed by the Chief Secretary of the state. District Magistrates guide and approve work in their respective districts through District Level Coordination Committees (DLCC).

2017-18

Further collaborative projects with different Government Department

Apart from this, following are the other collaborative projects with State Government:

• On Sep 17, 2017, Himmotthan joined hands with the Government for implementing the Integrated Livelihood Support Project (ILSP). There is an agreement between the Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Samiti (UGVS) and Himmotthan Society, that Himmotthan will implement the ILSP and related market access activities in the project Villages where Himmotthan was already operating. Himmotthan has adopted the established institutions under ILSP and carries different capacity building and livelihood activities. The project is being implementing in Garur, Tharali, and Augustmuni blocks of Uttarakhand covering around 6000 HHs across 90 Villages.
• Himmotthan Society has signed a LoU on Nov, 2017 with Uttarakhand Forest Department Project Management Unit (PMU) for implementation of Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP) funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Lansdowne and Narendranangar Forest division. The aim of the project is to contribute towards eco-restoration and enhancement of forest resources, expansion of livelihood opportunities and income generation of the forest dependent people and mitigating the risks of sediment disasters in highly vulnerable areas in future.
• Under a joint Skilling and Livelihoods initiative in the State, the Himmotthan Society have committed to partner with the Uttarakhand Rural Livelihood Mission (URLM) and signed a MoU on March, 2018 for a period of 5 years. The project is being implemented in 5 blocks (Ukhimath, Pauri, Chiriyalisaud, Berinag and Betalghat) of 5 Mountain districts. This will largely involve working in rural areas and organizing women through self-help groups and local federations. Skilling programs will include on and off-farm enterprises like Agri-produce, Dairy and other Livestock, Handicrafts and Rural Marketing. Collective production, processing and marketing of produce and products will create self-employment, embedded enterprises and develop a culture of entrepreneurship in the rural areas of the state.
• Himmotthan has also assisted State Government in Swachh Bharat Mission by various measures such as appointing Zila Swachh Bharat Preraks (ZSBPS), Virtual learning centers (VLCs) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities in various districts of Uttarakhand and Mansa district of Punjab.
• Himmotthan has also assisted State Government in Swachh Bharat Mission by various measures such as appointing Zila Swachh Bharat Preraks (ZSBPS), Virtual learning centers (VLCs) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities in various districts of Uttarakhand and Mansa district of Punjab.

Himmotthan Society in convergence with State Government is covering around 1300 Villages in various mountain districts of State and is in pace to scale up these convergences