Peermade Development Society, in association with the Honey Bee Network, National Innovation Foundation - Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad (IIM-A), and Sristi , undertook the 16th Shodh Yatra from 27th December 2005 to 2nd January 2006 in the Idukki Ranges of Kerela, from Kumily to Kattappana.

A collective walk through the rainforests to learn from the creative communities and grassroots’ innovators started from Kumily to Kattapana in Idduki district, Kerala. The yatra spread over an area of 100 kilometers, walking around 12 to 15 kilometers per day, and covering 10 to 12 villages over a period of 8 days. 80 yatris comprising of farmers, women’s groups, students and scientific communities from all over India viz., Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Uttaranchal participated in the Shodh Yatra.

Volunteers trekked in the jungles and plantations, breathing refreshing air heavy with the healing aroma of black pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. They had an intimate interaction with grassroots planters, school children and innovators during the day and stayed in clean, well-maintained village school buildings at night. There were village-square presentations every evening. Over a dozen innovators were scouted during such presentations and some of them were instantly honored.

Honey Bee Network's multimedia presentation, specific to innovators from Kerala, was presented to farmers and grassroots innovators from the state of Kerala, who in turn displayed their samples and models. A power point presentation was very instrumental in helping people understand our purpose. It was only after this, that many innovators reached us by themselves.

A mobile exhibition was displayed in the villages by grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge holders. Newsletters of the Honey Bee Network in Malayalam (Ini Karshakan Samsarikkatte) and English (Honey Bee), along with the publications related to bio-herbal preparations, were distributed to grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge holders. As a special feature, street meetings were conducted to explain about Shodh Yatra and 20 innovators were scouted through this.

Recipe contests were conducted to encourage and sustain the importance of unique and healthy traditional cooking practices and to revive the cultural heritage. Women’s groups prepared traditional food during the entire journey and added flavor to the yatra. Women innovators and traditional knowledge holders were honored at their doorsteps during this yatra. Women self-help groups were found adding that little extra, which is the strength of Indian soil. These women folk had various traditional knowledge treatments and medicines that are applicable to a number of ailments.

In order to emphasize and instill the importance of biodiversity and traditional knowledge practices in young children, three-biodiversity contests were conducted for school children. Students collected as many as 250 samples of plant varieties, which they could identify and of which they were already aware of specific healing properties. The uses of the plant varieties were also explained. The response from the children and women’s groups was overwhelming. Even the children were highly concerned about the environment and our rich heritage of flora.

The process of preparation of traditional herbal medicines was demonstrated to women folk. The traditional process of preparation of Murivenna for the treatment of cuts, wounds and swellings; Uragullika for the treatment of stomach disorder; and Thaleespathradi Choornam for cough and throat infection were exhibited by traditional knowledge holders. It was a noteworthy fact that Sarasamma, a tribal woman helps the community in preserving biodiversity and ethno-traditional medicines and adopts traditional agricultural practices.

It was observed that the usage of bio-pesticides was encouraged to avoid chemical pollution, to protect environmental safety and to reduce the cost of producing farm products. Considering the social & environmental harm caused by the chemical pesticides, the farmers prefer to use of bio-pesticides to a large extent. Unfortunately, the slump in prices of pepper and cardamom had created losses and an economic crisis for farmers.

Other outstanding grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge practitioners were also felicitated during the Shodh Yatra. Around 60 innovators and traditional knowledge holders were honoured and Padmashri Prof. Anil. K. Gupta gave certificates to innovators on this occasion.

The Shodh Yatra concluded on 2nd January 2006 at 12:30 pm. The important challenge of Shodh Yatra was documenting these traditional knowledge and grassroots innovations, identifying opportunities to pool best practices and new products, and exploring new market opportunities.