In its efforts to strengthen traditional pastoral livelihoods across the desert, Urmul Trust under the aegis of National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), Government of India and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations, the Reviving traditional pasture routes in dry and arid parts of the country Programme has launched interventions in 4 villages (Rajasar Bhatiyan, Kalu, Kelan and Dhani Bhopalram focused on strengthening the necessary infrastructure, enabling capacity building of pastoralists and launching policy advocacy efforts to respond to the ecosystem concerns. This revamped pastoral ecosystem would ensure that the animals get timely forage, water resources, healthcare facilities through development of Common Facility Centres and revival of Common Property Resources to ensure they avail necessary services. In addition to strengthening the services, the interventions aim to empower and motivate the pastoralists to adopt this traditional livelihood.
Under this programme, the undying efforts of our team have resulted into a new feat this month. After continuous dialogues and discussions with the District administration, Bikaner, and Gram Panchayats the team successfully secured convergence support. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the authorities endorsed the sanctioning of INR 1 crores and 56 lakhs from the budget of Gram Panchayat for infrastructure development activities such as building common facility centres, plantation and maintenance of identified common property resources and repairing water reservoirs. Through this the team will not only be able to expedite the revival of CPRs and construction of infrastructural units like CFCs but also provide employment to labourers both local and migrant during these times of COVID crisis. Through our interventions we aim to empower and support the pastoralists to adopt this traditional livelihood.
- Through the aid provided by the Azim Premji Foundation, essential ration packages containing 5 kilograms of wheat, 1 liter of mustard oil, pulses, and essential spices were distributed to 101 pastoral households that needed urgent support in Bikaner district. Besides the food items, two soaps and two masks were also provided to each household. Alongside through telephonic conversations, 220 pastoralist households were provided information on how to ensure social distancing and adopt hygienic practices owing to nationwide COVID-19.
- Another major achievement of this month is through convergence. The District administration, Bikaner, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme endorsed the sanctioning of of INR 1 crores and 56 lakhs from the budget of Gram Panchayat for infrastructure development activities such as building common facility centres, plantation and maintenance of identified common property resources and repairing water reservoirs.
- Plantation of over 5000 Moringa oleifera saplings conducted in the Urmul Fodder Nursery in Lunkaransar along with setting up a drip irrigation system in the nursery.