Creating resilient community in disaster prone geographies: Should AAGAAS turn for-profit or remain not-for-profit?

• Main Authors: Singh Bisht, Shailendra, Dastidar, Surajit Ghosh
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: HD28 Management. Industrial Management
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/15319/1/TC06.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/15319/; http://www.icsc2014.uum.edu.my/

This case discusses Alaknanda Ghaati Shilpi Federation (AAGAAS), a non-profit organization in a small town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, a state in northern India.It discusses how AAGAAS aimed at development in the region through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods aimed at creating a resilient community.The organization also set up a bio-diversity park with the stated objective of promoting bio tourism as a livelihood alternative for the local communities. However, the tragedy that took place at Uttarakhand in June 2013 challenged AAGAAS. This tragedy challenged Maithani to sustain the organization which was already engaged in local craft promotion and many other initiatives for community development including sustainable livelihoods.Maithani was facing a shortage of funds along with lack of skilled manpower.He wondered whether it was feasible to transform his organization into a for-profit organisation but was skeptical about the transformation in light of the recent tragedy. However, he wondered what would be a viable business model that could generate sustainable livelihood options for the poor while at the same time helping to conserve the fragile ecosystem of the region.