Cooperating Associations

Cooperating Associations, also known as interpretive associations or natural history associations, support the interpretive, educational and scientific programs and services of governmental land management agencies such as the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers, or state park departments.

Associations assist in the production of site-specific products, distribute educational and scientific publications produced by agencies, donate materials for use in interpretive programs and exhibits, and work to secure grants and funding. This is accomplished through bookstore sales, membership support, publication and product development, research funding, and other educational programs and activities. They must hold a federally tax-exempt, not-for-profit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Purpose

Cooperating associations recognize the public as an important resource for the preservation of public land, and help citizens to better understand land management issues by providing information and services in visitor centers and other locations. By doing so, cooperating associations contribute to the understanding of a variety of stewardship issues, cultivate an appreciation of public lands, and help reduce adverse impacts on natural and cultural resources.

Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi (dahi: curd, handi: earthen pot) is an Indian festival, celebrated every August/September, that involves making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot filled with curd tied at a convenient height. This event is based on the legend of the child-god Krishna stealing butter. A participant in this festival is called a govinda or govinda pathak. It is mostly popular in the state of Maharashtra and Mumbai. It is part of the main festival Gokulashtami, which is known as Krishna Janmashtami in the rest of the country, and celebrates the birth of Krishna. This is celebrated on the next of Krishna Janmashtami.

Legend

The child-god Krishna and his friends used to form human pyramids to break pots hung from the ceilings of neighbourhood houses, in order to steal curd and butter. This was in Vrindavan, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India, where Krishna was brought up. There was ample amount of cows and milk products made that time. He used to distribute it among his friends because during King Kamsa's rule (his maternal uncle), their parents were forced to give everything produced to Kaunsa's home in Mathura. The children of Vrindavan village were thus deprived of milk products.