What kind of images come to mind when you hear this theme? While everyone’s personal experience with climate change may vary, this spring, we hope to reflect together on global issues and consider what we can do in our daily lives.

Throughout this month, we will be featuring stories of our graduates and ARI’s own initiatives to tackle environmental challenges.

Our first story features Roy David (2003 ARI Graduate).
For many years, he has been working in Karnataka, South India, supporting the land rights of the indigenous “Adivasi” people.

They live harmoniously with their native forests and have done so for a thousand years, taking only what they need and always leaving something behind. When they harvest honey, they do not touch several hives, so the bees still have homes. When they dig roots, they ensure several remain in the soil so they may continue to grow. This is in contrast to the unkind relationship of modern thinking that would cut a whole forest at once for a quick profit. Indeed, the Adivasi have something important to teach about how to live kindly with the land.

Roy says with deep respect, “The Adivasis are the most exploited and pushed to the corner. They are the last people. Actually, they are the world’s first people, but here they are pushed to become the last people. I want to do something for the last people, though it is very challenging.”

(Excerpt from “Rural Leaders: Southern India, Day 12” and Ajia no Tsuchi No. 202 by Steven Cutting)


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