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Taking it Higher: greening KaravanRoofs
HF Blogger: Yasmin Lari
Ever since the Heritage Foundation began to work on shelter construction in post-flood communities in Sindh, it has bothered me to see desolate villages with no vegetation or trees set midst vast green fields or orchards. With so much greenery around, it is clear that it is not for lack of water, quality soil, expertise or hard work. I wondered why villagers did not plant trees or vegetables in their own compounds? Amidst pervasive poverty and illness, surely eating vegetables and fruit would immediately improve the health of the community, particularly of women and children.
The answer lay in the pressure of the system of waderashahi or “landlordism.” Since the land on which they build does not belong to them, the villagers are scared to plant anything in the area. Also, the land at their disposal is limited and they feel that making vegetable beds or even planting trees will reduce their space.
The solution could lie in the use of their roofs. The eco-build strong, accessible KaravanRoof thus became the key factor to extend the space of the village households. For some time, now we have been struggling as to how to get the process moving. There have been many fears: namely, the landlord might not allow roof farming and the roof might not be strong enough to take the load.
Gradually, these fears are being dispelled and the process of vegetable farming on roof has begun in Karavan EcoVillage Moak Sharif. The landlord has given his go-ahead and the first steps are gradually being taken up by the villagers.
I have given instructions to arrange for advice at site. Naheem Shah, after carrying out experimentation has deputed the gardener to provide guidance: how to divide up the roof into panels or beds so that water could be drained and provide space for access and watering; to build mud up-stands directly on top of strong multiple bamboo KaravanJoists to ensure that extra load of the earth up-stand can be sustained; lining the roof surface with polythene; placing the bottom layer of charcoal dust, the waste material procured from nearby brick kilns; using 8” depth of good soil with organic fertilizer etc.
Experimentation with low water consumption watering techniques are being carried out. The first one is to use an upside down used mineral water bottle, with a small hole and after some issues regarding the size of the perforation, the system seems to be working. Other watering systems will also be tried out to see what is easiest and consumes the least amount of water to keep the soil moist.
Since we will be experiencing the hot spell for several months, a system of awning over the planted beds is also being worked out.
As Mehmood Nawaz Shah, the landlord of village Moak Sharif, himself pointed out: “even if they can grow one cauliflower a day or some other vegetable, it will be an extra source of nutrition and make a huge difference to their health.”
The success of roof farming can transform the outlook of these villages from desolate and dry eyesores into green oases. Thus the benefits of the almost carbon zero footprint eco-build sustainable KaravanRoofs will extend beyond providing safety during floods, and the exciting prospect of being a means to provide nutritious food and a healthy environment!
HF Blogger: Yasmin Lari
Ever since the Heritage Foundation began to work on shelter construction in post-flood communities in Sindh, it has bothered me to see desolate villages with no vegetation or trees set midst vast green fields or orchards. With so much greenery around, it is clear that it is not for lack of water, quality soil, expertise or hard work. I wondered why villagers did not plant trees or vegetables in their own compounds? Amidst pervasive poverty and illness, surely eating vegetables and fruit would immediately improve the health of the community, particularly of women and children.
The answer lay in the pressure of the system of waderashahi or “landlordism.” Since the land on which they build does not belong to them, the villagers are scared to plant anything in the area. Also, the land at their disposal is limited and they feel that making vegetable beds or even planting trees will reduce their space.
The solution could lie in the use of their roofs. The eco-build strong, accessible KaravanRoof thus became the key factor to extend the space of the village households. For some time, now we have been struggling as to how to get the process moving. There have been many fears: namely, the landlord might not allow roof farming and the roof might not be strong enough to take the load.
Gradually, these fears are being dispelled and the process of vegetable farming on roof has begun in Karavan EcoVillage Moak Sharif. The landlord has given his go-ahead and the first steps are gradually being taken up by the villagers.
I have given instructions to arrange for advice at site. Naheem Shah, after carrying out experimentation has deputed the gardener to provide guidance: how to divide up the roof into panels or beds so that water could be drained and provide space for access and watering; to build mud up-stands directly on top of strong multiple bamboo KaravanJoists to ensure that extra load of the earth up-stand can be sustained; lining the roof surface with polythene; placing the bottom layer of charcoal dust, the waste material procured from nearby brick kilns; using 8” depth of good soil with organic fertilizer etc.
Experimentation with low water consumption watering techniques are being carried out. The first one is to use an upside down used mineral water bottle, with a small hole and after some issues regarding the size of the perforation, the system seems to be working. Other watering systems will also be tried out to see what is easiest and consumes the least amount of water to keep the soil moist.
Since we will be experiencing the hot spell for several months, a system of awning over the planted beds is also being worked out.
As Mehmood Nawaz Shah, the landlord of village Moak Sharif, himself pointed out: “even if they can grow one cauliflower a day or some other vegetable, it will be an extra source of nutrition and make a huge difference to their health.”
The success of roof farming can transform the outlook of these villages from desolate and dry eyesores into green oases. Thus the benefits of the almost carbon zero footprint eco-build sustainable KaravanRoofs will extend beyond providing safety during floods, and the exciting prospect of being a means to provide nutritious food and a healthy environment!
Something’s Cookin’: smokeless stoves
The current method of cooking food in Pakistani villages is currently toilsome. Burning wood results in people struggling with masses of smoke filling their homes. It is an unhygienic way of cooking that a vast majority of rural and marginalized women have been forced to use for decades.
As Heritage Foundation proceeds to find ways to provide ever increasing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)-compliant design options, an improved cooking arrangement is among the most important requirements for the befit of women in post disaster communities.
A smokeless stove (chulah) was constructed in January 2013 at Karavan EcoVillage Mohak Sharif. The design is based on the one built in the base camp in Mansera with assistance from Mr. Saad Khan, VP, Swiss Pakistan Society.
The mud brick structure was built expeditiously, so that within a day the chulah had become functional. This demonstrated the ease with which such enterprise can be executed with local construction materials and techniques.
The chulah, consisting of two fires, utilizes fuel economically. Although only one fire is lit, the heat from it is transferred to the second, thus making it possible to cook two items side by side.
The Heritage Foundation is also conducting a study to assess the reduction in the use of fuel as a comparative between the present chulahs and the Karavan smokeless chulah.
The chulah has been designed as a DRR compliant structure and consists of a platform which provides not only cooking arrangement but also provides elevated space to store water and other utensils etc. The raising of the chulah from the floor helps in keeping the cooking process clean and free of any dust and insects, thus providing a hygienic cooking arrangement.
To augment the benefits of the stoves, a Karavan Mihrab Kitchen is being designed to incorporate DRR compliant, hygienic cooking to provide it protection during floods and rains.
Something’s Cookin’: Smokeless stoves
The current method of cooking food in Pakistani villages is currently toilsome. Burning wood results in people struggle with masses of smoke filling their homes. It is an unhygienic way of cooking that a vast majority of rural and marginalized women have been forced to use for decades.
As Heritage Foundation proceeds to find ways to provide ever increasing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)-compliant design options, an improved cooking arrangement is among the most important requirements for the befit of women in post disaster communities.
A smokeless stove (chulah) was constructed in January 2013 at Karavan EcoVillage Mohak Sharif. The design is based on the one built in the base camp in Mansera with assistance from Mr. Saad Khan, VP, Swiss Pakistan Society.
The mud brick structure was built expeditiously, so that within a day the chulah had become functional. This demonstrated the ease with which such enterprise can be executed with local construction materials and techniques.
The chulah, consisting of two fires, utilizes fuel economically. Although only one fire is lit, the heat from it is transferred to the second, thus making it possible to cook two items side by side.
The Heritage Foundation is also assessing the reduction in the use of fuel as a comparative between the present chulahs and the Karavan smokeless chulah.
The chulah has been designed as a DRR compliant structure and consists of a platform which provides not only cooking arrangement but also provides elevated space to store water and other utensils etc. The raising of the chulah from the floor helps in keeping the cooking process clean and free of any dust and insects, thus providing a hygienic cooking arrangement.
To augment the benefits of the stoves, a Karavan Mihrab Kitchen is being designed to incorporate DRR compliant, hygienic cooking to provide it protection during floods and rains.
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