All photos by the author
Some glimpses of the just-concluded Vikalp Sangam in Kachchh, 27-30 July, organised by local groups and individuals with help from Kalpavriksh.
Opening session of Kachchh Vikalp Sangam, near Bhuj 
We had some fantastic Kachchhi and Gujarati food! 
Tree planting to create a Vikalp Sangam grove, on Jai Sanghvi’s farm (Sangam venue) 
Geology and natural history walk during Sangam 
Star tortoise, a rare species, gave us a wonderful glimpse in thorn forest near Sangam venue. 
Ghanibhai, a Maldhari, showing his vast knowledge of local species and their uses 
Painted grasshopper, what a creature! 
Aerial view of discussion part of Kachchh Vikalp Sangam 
Salim Node, a Maldhari elder, regaled us with some v. cutting remarks about city-dwellers’ abysmal lack of knowledge re. nature! 
Kachchh Vikalp Sangam included learning about local crafts from craftspersons: loom weaving, block printing, music/ghazals, mud block making 
Kachchh’s amazing women power was much in evidence at the Sangam, including women sarpanches, Sakhi Sangini members, and others 
Bhuj town councillor, one of those pro-active with governance initiatives 
Participants of Kachchh Vikalp Sangam on last day
First published on the blog of Ashish Kothari