Project Programmes - 2004/2005

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

ITTM has been open to volunteers from the world over who would like to share their knowledge in learning and unlearning experiences and participate in the activities at ITTM that involve all the projects described on this website. The Trust supports the specific interests of volunteers and organises local study tours and visits, tailored according to the individual needs and interests.

For the Medicinal Plant Research Cultivation, a special volunteer programme has been designed. The programme has been running since 2001 all year round. The duration and group size have been kept flexible for taking into account specific needs of individual participants.

The Programme involves a team of qualified and experienced English-speaking resource persons by rotation and on the basis of availability. Under their guidance, the volunteers: 

	(a) identify and collect various medicinal plant species from this region, at times involving overnight stays away from ITTM in Mountain Huts, Forest Rest Houses, Private Village Lodges, trekking past some of the most exotic flora and fauna of the region. They get exposed to the culture of multi-ethnic communities. They also interview tribal herbalists and healers through interpreters and assist in documenting local medical knowledge that is threatened to be lost with the advent of modernity. Click here to see photos of a recent trekking tour.
.	(b) transplant or sow sample species in  nursery beds in the ITTM research garden and identify their botanical and local names

(c) research the medicinal values and usage of those plants and assist in documenting the findings in a medicinal plant database at ITTM.

The biodynamic principles of gardening are applied in a practical manner in the field. Activities include the preparation of biodynamic compost, the spraying of the various biodynamic herb preparations and assisting in the quality testing of plant material in the new LAB.

For more details on chromatography tests at ITTM click here.

For more details on biodynamic cultivation at ITTM click here.

The volunteers thus support the successful trial cultivation of rare species of medicinal plants for those who are involved in the propagation of Tibetan and allied herbal medicines, apart from significantly contributing to the Database.  

THE ITTM LABORATORY

Skilled volunteers with previous work experience also have the opportunities to prepare essential oils, flower essences and herbal extracts at the ITTM laboratory.

LOGISTICS

ITTM is a non-profit Public Charitable Trust. The cost involved is therefore based on actual expenses. (Details on request.)
You shall have to bear:

• Your international travel arrangements and fare till Kalimpong and return.
• Valid visa and medical insurance for India.
• Cost for board and lodging at ITTM.
• Local project travel cost (mostly involving travel by public transport and overnight stay in moderate Govt. Lodges / Trekkers’ Huts / etc.

FACILITIES FOR PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

Vijnana Niwas offers twin-sharing rooms with common western-style baths with hot shower, a common kitchen with water purifier, apart from a versatile library, seminar, yoga and community rooms on a reasonably expansive campus. If you prefer more privacy, the Guest Flat offers two rooms with attached bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Food served will be vegetarian, mostly grown biodynamically in our own garden.

View Photographs of ITTM!  

ARRIVAL AT ITTM

You will arrive in India, either at the Delhi International Airport or at the Calcutta International Airport. In either case, you can take a connecting flight to Bagdogra Airport and from there arrive at Kalimpong over a two and a half hour drive past the great mountain river ‘Teesta’.

Please send your CV and photograph along with your Expression of Interest to: