Malnad Mela in Bangalore

Dear friends,


The Malnad Mela is back in Bangalore for the third year running!

Come and join us in this celebration of produce and local art from the Western Ghats. Explore the importance of seed biodiversity and supporting conservation oriented livelihoods that seek to preserve and enhance age-old practices. Take home traditional seed varieties and enjoy fresh vegetables from your very own home garden.

Date: February 27-28, 2010 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Venue: 4, Ashley Road, Off Brunton Rd (behind Hotel Ajantha on M.G. Rd),
Bangalore: 560025

Some of the produce and products from the forest home gardens this year include

indigenous seeds
wild forest foods
traditional snacks and preserves
spices
honey
dairy and poultry products
kokam butter balm
mud paintings
vegetable hair dyes
hand-sewn patchwork pieces
yoga mats
soap-nut scrub
natural incense
areca leaf plates
seed jewellery
herbal oils
seed murals
natural insect repellents ……and more.

We will also have products from the Concerned for Working Children (CWC), Kundapur and Himjoli, Himalayas.

This last year has been ecologically eventful with wayward weather (blame it all on climate change we are told!), failing crops, rising food prices, insane development plans, and the threat of having Bt Brinjal seeds on the market (fortunately thwarted for the moment thanks to people’s pressure). The hope is that our modest effort will help with seeking saner alternatives and pro-active responses to the current dismal state of affairs.

Thank you all for your encouragement and support. Please do pass this around on to others you know or e-groups.

We look forward to seeing you again over the last weekend of February!

Regards,
Sunita Rao
94802 99200

Founder Trustee - Vanastree
www.vanastree.org