One of the main problems facing the developing world today is environmental degradation. A serious problem facing developing countries worldwide is the balancing act of creating a suitable standard of living while taking into account environmental issues. Sustainable development is an argument for constraint and compromise and calls for the proper management of resources in helping people have enough to eat and educate their children.

This is a serious issue for all NGOs to take into consideration when implementing projects to alleviate the dire situation existing in many developing countries. Bóthar is one such NGO based in Ireland that has been in operation since 1991. It is currently active in 22 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. It assists in the procurement of 11 species of animal to poor rural families and other types of project support (AI, manual translations, cooling tanks, evaluations etc.) and programme support (staff training, vehicles, local partner overhead costs, etc.).

The environmental impact is taken into account in all our programmes. Throughout all our projects Bóthar encourage the use of sustainable methodologies. In all areas of operation the problems of deforestation, contamination of local water sources and soil erosion are combated against. All beneficiaries of Bóthar projects have to practice sustainable agricultural methods. There are a number of methods in which Bóthar promote the use of environmentally friendly agriculture amongst the beneficiary farmers.

Zero-grazing is one method to preserve the environment. In all of our dairy cow and dairy goat projects zero-grazing is practiced. This involves each project family constructing an animal shelter that will be divided into 3 compartments, one for feeding, one for milking and one for offspring. A small area is also included for exercise. The purpose of these zero-grazing units is to limit the amount of land required by each farmer to own an animal. It prevents the spread of disease by limiting the contact of the high breed dairy cows with local livestock. It also avoids overgrazing and aids the preservation of local land conditions.

Proper land management is also taught in all of our projects. Beneficiaries are submitted to training seminars on animal management and on how to properly cultivate the land plots they own. This will involve the use of all animal manure produced as fertiliser. The production of important food crops will be encouraged also.

In some of our project countries the use of Bio-mass gas units is widespread amongst our recipients of dairy heifers. This method of producing energy is possible by a mechanism where the methane from animal waste is harnessed by a biogas converter to produce energy for cooking and domestic lighting. It prevents the common practice of cutting trees for firewood and charcoal to provide these energy requirements and thus prevent deforestation. It is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of harnessing a renewable energy source.

In many of the areas of the world that Bóthar operates in, the terrain is of an unforgiving nature, usually in rural mountainous areas. These regions experience the extremes of environmental degradation through deforestation and soil erosion. Therefore Bóthar specifically stresses the importance of environmental awareness in these areas. In these projects the use of terracing in agriculture is encouraged as it negates the progression of soil erosion and run-off.

Every NGO must recognise the importance of environmental issues in relation to development work. In Bóthar’s case this takes on more importance than most because it operates in the livestock development field, a sensitive area regarding the environment. Bóthar recognises the big challenges faced in the developing world today. In providing enough food to eat for everyone NGOs must recognise and put into practice methods that find a balance with the local ecology.