Much about Orchha is about the past – its glory, monuments, preserving an idea of life as it used to be. However, it is also a contemporary place, with rural communities looking forward to being self-reliant by creating something worthwhile in a way that is both aesthetic and sustainable. The organisation Development Alternatives works in various areas towards sustainable development and its facility TARAgram in Orchha was set up in 1995 as a technology village. It has enabled many mini enterprises, providing jobs to local people and generating goods and services for local markets. Among the products they create is beautiful handmade paper.
A visit to their rather tranquil centre is most interesting as you can see the various eco-friendly processes involved in bringing out their final products. You will see various sheds with sheets of paper clipped up to dry. There is also a store where you can pick up notebooks, paper lamps and many more articles. They have an intriguing product that you must buy – notebooks with seeds embedded in them. When you are done using the paper, just bury it in the earth, and wait to see if it pushes up saplings of coriander, or maybe even roses! How’s that for eco-friendliness?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Getting there: TARAgram is about 8km/20 min from the city centre at Orchha.
TARAgram
Address: TARAgram, Orchha Tigela, Gram Bavedi Jungle, Orchha
Tel: 9425142825
Email: [email protected]