Regenerative Craters
Reviving the Indigenous approach to Ecological regeneration
Please walk through this Virtual tour first.
Deforestation ~ Flooding
This amazing visualization by Toby Morris portrays the shortest story that explains flooding in Indus plains and its all the result of Environmental degradation caused by worst deforestation in Koh Solaiman Mountains in the west of Indus plains.
What is a Re'crater?
We dream to transform the lands along water channels like creeks and streams of hill torrents, canals and river banks of Indus valley into Nurseries of Ecological restoration, Biodiversity havens and source of abundance with our dream Project/structures inspired by an Indigenous practice called Tarai, we power it with permaculture and call it a Re’Crater.
Imagine yourself flying above an arid landscape looking through your window and a breathtaking sight appears below, an aquamarine blue lake enveloped by dense forest and thriving orchards. A Blue (manmade)Volcano that’s erupting life, will be our Regenerative Crater. A Re’crater is a plot of community land owned by many families working together producing their food around a substantial central lake, designed on the principles of Permaculture. This estate will provide sanctuary to migratory birds from Siberia, as these guests land on lakes and our community will host not hunt them.
The forest at the rear of the estate will provide a habitat for native wildlife and serve as a sustainable timber resource. Meanwhile, the Permaculture zone yields an abundance of nutrient-rich organic food. We have started manifesting this vision into a tangible Regenerative Reality and we aim to offer it as a model for all those engaged in agriculture.
A Blueprint for Nature based flood mitigation system catalyzing Ecological restoration
The Soul of Regenerative Crater Project is to re-organized and revive a dying indigenous practice of water harvesting in koh solaiman alpine range called Tarai on Regenerative principals of Permaculture. Then present that Revitalized landscape as a model of Ecological restoration, in a way to make it beneficial for All, all of biodiversity including humans and primarily for Mother Earth. We aim to showcase a harmonious blend of Indigenous wisdom with Permaculture principles, Ecological stewardship, and a commitment to nurturing the environment.
Let’s try to understand this innovative endeavor and its ecological significance.
THe Organs of Re'Crater
The Lake
At the core of ReCrater lies the Lake, a sprawling lake that serves as a multifunctional hub. Nestled within its embrace, it serves as;
Ξ Replenishes the Aquifers.
Ξ Source for drinking water local cattle and livestock
Ξ A Sanctuary for Migratory Birds: Each year, our Re’crater will welcome avian visitors from the distant Siberian lands, offering them a safe haven during their migration.
Ξ Aquatic life haven: Beneath the fresh waters, a thriving Aquatic biodiversity haven thrives and provides food for migratory birds source of aquatic nourishment.
Ξ Water Source: The crystal-clear lake waters also play a pivotal role as a source for irrigating our Permaculture estate, ensuring the vibrancy of our organic crops.
The Forest
Adjacent to the lake, our Enchanted Forest is more than just a collection of trees. It’s a carefully managed habitat, timber resource, and the heart of our vermiculture practices. Here, native wildlife flourishes, and sustainable timber harvesting maintains the ecological balance.
Permaculture Estate
Our Permaculture area is where the magic happens. We employ Permaculture principles to cultivate an abundance of nutrient-rich organic food mainly those native species of fruits, grains and vegetables that grow wild in Sulaiman alpine range. Integrating these native plant species with regenerative farming practices we now know Permaculture, we can showcase the epitome of human-land harmony.
The most valuable produces of koh Solaiman are;
Native wild riches of Koh Sulaiman alpine range
The first Recrater
We are currently building the first pilot Recrater on an ~25 hectors estate in Koh Suleiman range. Its located on a creek that is tributary to Drug branch of great Sanghar hill torrent which is the largest hill torrent in Southern Punjab region. Here are the coordinates of our location: 30°46’29″N 70°19’51″E
The first view is taken from Google Earth from the west and the second view is taken with Camera, from the point of “X” in first view.
Over-View
The Main Tarai under construction
Farming with black waters
Our community refused to apply for subsidized deep bore water pumps for irrigation that NRSP (a government backed development organization) provides all across koh Sulaiman for irrigation. We prefer installing solar powered pump instead, pumping water uphill from drug hill torrent. The mineral rich torrent water is called Black water as black is metaphor for fertility in Indus basin.
Ecological Benefits of the Re'Crater
Water Resource Management
The Re'crater's lake serves as a critical water source for irrigation, reducing the demand on external water supplies and promoting responsible water management.
Flood Mitigation
The thick bands of forests along the banks of hill torrents and river are the integral part of the Re'crator. That will slow down the water flow and mitigate Soil erosion hense Flooding.
Regenerative Agroecology
Through Permaculture, we nurture an ecosystem where organic crops thrive without the need for harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The result is nutrient-rich, chemical-free food.
Biodiversity Conservation
The Re'crater provides a haven for migratory birds, ensuring their safe passage and sustenance. The Enchanted Forest is a vital habitat for native wildlife, contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity.
Carbon sequestering
Out of its dense and abundant tree plantation, Re'crater will act as a huge Air purifier and carbon-capture & sequestering unit.
Timber Sustainability
Our responsible timber harvesting practices in the Enchanted Forest demonstrate that timber production can coexist with ecosystem conservation.
Economic benefits
Offer economic benefits to local communities by supporting diversified crop and fruit production and creating eco-tourism opportunities. This fosters sustainable livelihoods and community resilience
Ancients were Right
All we need is to reconnect
Why we are struggling to turn this Arid land into a Permaculture powered olive, fig, almond, cherry and grape orchards? How will it mitigate the rage of Mother Earth we call climate disasters?
Because a common man from Himalayas to Koh Sulaiman and kirthar is struggling to feed his family and making sure that tomorrow he will earn the bread too…. Nothing else. He is in survival mode all his life and this is the ground reality. Majority of them have a little concern about melting glaciers and deforestation.
But its only the natives who can save it all not the MBAs occupying the environmental positions in mainstream organizations in Capital offices.
We need to empower them by enabling them how to harvest abundance Nature offers. We need to remind them how preserving nature can free them from the Survival mode.
Reconnecting with Roots is core of our vision of Eco-Restoration. We are up to to turn this dream into a Regenerative Reality, also to present it as a specimen for all those involved in Ecological, landscape and wetland restoration, biodiversity rehabilitation, afforestation and agro-ecology.
We invite all to explore this dynamic fusion of Ecological preservation, Regenerative agriculture based land management at the our Regenerative Crater.
We dream to setup a model of Ecological respect, where humans coexist with nature in perfect equilibrium and propagate and replicate it as the narrative of what we say The Great Regeneration.