MADURAI: The United Nations has declared the year 2026 as International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists to create awareness on the importance of protection and regeneration of range lands (pasture lands, common lands).
In this backdrop, voluntary organization SEVA (Sustainable agriculture and Environment Voluntary Action) had organized Rangelands Awards 2023 cum Workshop in Madurai on March 28th 2024 at People Dhan Academy in Pulluthu-Madurai, in association with the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and Dairying under National Livestock Mission.
SEVA is instrumental in organizing many regional workshops for creating awareness about protection and regeneration of rangelands because local communities and pastoralists depend on common lands for their livestock grazing and livelihood.
AWARD RECIPIENTS:
The award recipients are: 1. Mr.Kayamdeen village Shiv Sagar, Narayanpura, Jodhpur district-Rajasthan, 2. Van Panchayat, Baja Nadila village P.O., Borgaon, Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, 3. Vriksh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti, Kekriya GP, Sarana district, Bhilwara-Rajasthan, 4.Van Suraksha Evam Prabandhan-Samiti village-Kadech Block, Sayra district-Udaipur in Rajasthan, 5.Rupan Mata Vriksh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti-Khakhrakhnuna panchayat-Kadech – block Sayra, Udaipur district in Rajasthan, 6. Women’s Pastureland Mnaagement Committee Rabari Vas, Nagpur Village Rapar-distirct Kachchh-Gujarat, 7.C.Rajiv Gandhi, Kalkulam, Mudikkarai-Kalayarkovil- Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, 8. Mrs.Soundaram Ramasamy, Kathasamypalayam, K.P.Chathiram, Nanjathalaiyur Post, Thiruppur distirct-Tamil Nadu, 9.Smer Singh Bhati, Sawanta village, Rasala Post- Jaisalmer distirct-Rajasthan and 10. Van Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan, Gujjar Basti-Gaindikhata, Karidwar-Uttarakhand.
The awards presentation cum workshop was held in Madurai in association with Indian Grasslands and Fodder Research Institute-Jhansi and Foundation for Ecological Security-Anand.
Certificates and cash ward of Rs.10,000 were given to each of the 10 individuals/ communities. Earlier, SEVA invited entries and proposals for awards through publicity and NGO network at national level. Out of 18 entries, 10 have been selected through a national level selection committee including scientists from ICAR and others.
FOR A NATIONAL POLICY:
In this awards presentation event, there was a discussion on formulation of National Pasture Land Policy for Restoration and Regeneration of Pasture Lands in India under different climatic zones to ensure livelihood of pastoral communities.
Mr.P.Vasimalai had distributed certificates to the awardees and he suggested GI tag for camel milk from Jaisalmer, registration under UN heritage sites for selected pasture lands such as Korangadu (Tamil Nadu) and Banni grassland i Gujarat etc.
The meeting was presided over by SEVA president auditor Jeyabaskaran while Dr.Igshaan Samuel, co-chair of International Support Group of International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists from South Africa had delivered special online address on restoration of rangelands and its importance for climate change mitigation-biodiversity conservation etc, according to a press release received from Mr.P.Vivekanandan of SEVA from Madurai.
