A legacy of service, nature and community leadership.
Swargiya Kali Ram Nautiyal Smriti Foundation Society — also known as KR Foundation / KRN Foundation — is a registered social organization based in Uttarakhand, working for the holistic development of rural Himalayan communities.
An organization born from a legacy of grassroots service.
KR Foundation, officially known as Swargiya Kali Ram Nautiyal Smriti Foundation Society, is a non-government social organization working for the holistic development of rural Himalayan communities.
The foundation works across key areas such as environmental awareness, forest conservation, water conservation, rural education, women empowerment, youth development, sports, skill development, tourism, culture, self-help group promotion and reverse migration.
Rooted in Uttarakhand, KR Foundation believes that real change begins from villages — by empowering local people, protecting natural resources, strengthening women leadership and creating sustainable opportunities for rural communities.
Our work is inspired by the legacy of grassroots social service, environmental protection and community leadership carried forward by Smt. Sumati Nautiyal, whose contributions in forest conservation, water conservation, women's organization, youth awareness and child education continue to guide the foundation's direction.
Our Vision
Empowered, educated and self-reliant rural communities that live with dignity, opportunity and harmony with nature — where children receive quality education, women lead, youth find opportunity, and natural resources are protected for future generations.
Our Mission
- Promote education among children and underprivileged communities.
- Create awareness about environment, forest and water conservation.
- Encourage women empowerment through self-help groups and livelihood training.
- Support skill development and employment opportunities in rural areas.
- Reduce migration by creating local opportunities and strengthening village economies.
- Promote sports and youth leadership in rural communities.
- Preserve local culture, traditions and Himalayan heritage.
- Encourage tourism and rural livelihood opportunities.
- Work against social issues like addiction, alcoholism and tobacco use.
- Build a sustainable, aware and responsible society.
Our core values
Service
We serve society with honesty, humility and commitment.
Sustainability
Our work is rooted in protecting nature, water, forests and local resources.
Empowerment
We give people the tools, awareness and confidence to shape their own future.
Community Participation
Change becomes stronger when local people lead it.
Education
The foundation of social awareness, dignity and opportunity.
Cultural Respect
Preserving the traditional wisdom, values and heritage of Himalayan communities.
Led by experience. Driven by purpose.
KR Foundation is guided by people who have spent years serving society through education, community development and grassroots leadership — including a former school principal with NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra experience, and a community leader with over 20 years of NGO and public-awareness work.
"Our collective aim is to create examples of positive change, local empowerment and reverse migration — so that no one has to leave the hills to live a life of dignity."
— KR Foundation Founding Team
Mr. Prajapati Nautiyal — a life in grassroots service.
Mr. Prajapati Nautiyal is the Main Coordinator of KR Foundation. His journey brings together years of youth leadership, environmental action and disaster-relief service across the hills of Uttarakhand — with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India), the Sparsh Ganga Abhiyan, and community-based rural development work.
As District Coordinator with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Mr. Nautiyal has led tree-plantation drives, youth mobilization programs, cleanliness campaigns and a wide range of social-development activities across Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi and nearby districts — engaging rural youth, students and village communities in constructive, nation-building work.
Under the Sparsh Ganga Abhiyan, he has actively participated in the cleaning and protection of the river Ganga and its tributaries — organizing shramdaan drives, awareness rallies and community-cleanliness camps to safeguard the rivers and springs that give life to the Himalayan region.
In 2013, during the devastating Uttarakhand floods, Mr. Nautiyal served as District Coordinator for disaster-relief operations of Nehru Yuva Kendra in Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal — conducting relief camps, distributing essential supplies, coordinating volunteers and standing with affected families during one of the worst natural disasters the state has witnessed. His work during this period was widely recognized for its dedication, discipline and impact.
His leadership continues to shape the direction of KR Foundation — rooted in service, guided by experience, and committed to empowering the next generation of rural Himalayan youth.
Inspired by years of grassroots service.
From 1994 to 2010, Smt. Sumati Nautiyal worked with Himalayee Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan, Matli, Uttarkashi — contributing to forest protection, water conservation, women's participation, youth mobilization and village-level awareness across the Bhagirathi and Jalkur valleys.
Her work involved organizing village meetings, awareness camps, rallies, seminars and community programs to bring people together for the protection of forests, water sources and local ecology.
After the Chipko movement, many villages in Uttarakhand became active in protecting forests from commercial exploitation and illegal cutting. Smt. Sumati Nautiyal played an important role in mobilizing women and communities — in areas such as Jalkur Ghati, Bhagirathi Ghati and nearby villages — to stop illegal felling and build a sense of collective responsibility.
Today, KR Foundation carries forward this legacy through rural development, environmental protection, women empowerment and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
Legacy at a glance
- 1994–2010 grassroots service with Himalayee Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan
- Forest protection awareness across Jalkur and Bhagirathi valleys
- Women-led campaigns against illegal felling of forests
- Construction and revival of village water bodies
- Work with women's organizations across 25+ villages
- Awareness campaigns on river protection and anti-mining
- Grassroots nasha mukti and anti-tobacco campaigns