All humankind is dependent on nature for all of its needs and wants. This dependence is even more evident in primarily agrarian societies like in rural India. This dependence on nature manifests itself in three immediate forms namely, land, water and forests.

As agriculture is the main form of livelihood in Anantapur district, the kind of agriculture being practiced plays a crucial role in the sustainability of these livelihoods. The kind of cropping patterns, the use of external inputs and the maintenance of soil fertility are of utmost importance. In the past few years, there has been a dangerous move towards mono-cropping of cash crops.

Anantapur district is the largest groundnut growing district in the country and probably all of South Asia.. Being the major cash crop, it covers over 90% of the cropped area. The performance of this crop decides the economy of the district. This move has been at the expense of a traditional system of basic food needs based cropping. This has played havoc with the food security of most families and has contributed to many of the other problems plaguing the society here.

While the rainfall pattern has changed over the years, the "green revolution" has resulted in a spurt in the use of environmentally damaging pesticides and fertilisers. Traditional means of maintaining the fertility of the land have been slowly forgotten.

Anantapur district, being the second most drought prone district in the country. The rainfall pattern has changed over the years. The early May and June showers are almost non existent or erratic as have the late rains of November. This situation requires judicious water conservation techniques to utilise every drop of water.

This area had a glorious tradition of rain water harvesting - tanks and kuntas - and irrigation systems. The past 60 to 70 years have seen this great traditional system waste away due to a lack of ownership, destruction of the forests, wrong agricultural practices and a growing dependence on the government as the provider of all facilities.

Water use is also governed by the kind of crops that are grown. The shift to high water usage crops has also seen the receding of ground water levels all over the district.

This district was once part of one of the most powerful and rich kingdoms of south India - The Vijayanagara Kingdom. In the late 19th century the forests were described as one of the finest summer deciduous forests in the south. Its fruits were known even in the courts of Delhi.

For over 700 years, various armies fought to keep control of this fertile land. Sadly, very little of these forests remain today. Extensive deforestation coupled with a the wresting of control over forest resources by the government has resulted in the loss of interest by the people to maintain their forests.

The Collective was founded with the idea of reviving the natural glory of the area and of inculcating a sense of ownership of these resources amongst its people. Its activities hence, tries to grapple with all these problems and to find enduring solutions.