Delegates visit Pulwama rangeland, interact with pastoral community
SRINAGAR: The three-day workshop on ‘Rangeland Management for Sustainable Rural Development,’ organized by the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Jammu and Kashmir, concluded today with significant engagement from both national and international experts.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) Support Group of South Asia and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), brought together participants from India, Spain, and Mongolia.
The event focused on leveraging ongoing government programs to promote sustainable rangeland management.
During the workshop, discussions were held on integrating rangeland management into broader rural development initiatives, highlighting the importance of rangelands for food security, economic development and environmental sustainability.
During the workshop, 16 technical sessions were held, featuring contributions from a diverse group of experts, NGOs, and academics.
Participants included representatives from NGOs from Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand, as well as international experts. These sessions focused on sharing experiences and best practices on how to conserve and revive rangelands and pastures.
Discussions also revolved on strategies to sustainably improve the economy of pastoralists, ensuring that their livelihoods are supported in a manner that benefits both the environment and local communities.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, in his address, spoke about the need for data-driven policies and emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultation and inter-sectoral coordination.
The Secretary stressed the need for developing a comprehensive policy framework for the management and conservation of rangelands across Jammu and Kashmir. He revealed that over 4 percent of J&K’s total geographic area is under rangelands, underscoring the importance of proper management.
Burma Dashbal, CEO of the Mongolian National Federation of Pasture User Group, addressed the participants virtually. She emphasized the critical contributions of pastoralism and rangelands to rural livelihoods, correcting common misconceptions and advocating for evidence-based policies and sustainable investments.
She emphasized the vital contributions that rangelands and pastoralists make to food security, the economy, and the environment. She explained that pastoralism is not just a way of life but a critical component of rural livelihoods, supporting a large number of people globally and providing essential resources.
Dr. Pedro M. Herrera, a Spanish ecologist and consultant on Drylands and Pastoralism, also shared his expertise, highlighting the need for international cooperation in addressing the challenges of rangeland management.
P. Vivekanandan, Chair of the RISG-SA, presented on best practices for community management of pasture lands and livestock breeds.
Dr. Ravindra S. Gavali, Professor and Head at CNRM, CC & DM, NIRDPR Hyderabad, discussed enhancing environmental benefits and rural livelihoods through the MGNREGA program.
Ravinder Yadav, Director of the Rainfed Area Authority, Government of India, shared insights into the convergence model developed under the NRAA-AO TCP (National Rainfed Area Authority-Agriculture Organization Technical Cooperation Program). He emphasized the critical role of collaboration in achieving effective rangeland management.
He said that the convergence model has facilitated the revival of traditional pasture routes, which are essential for the livelihoods of pastoral communities.
Other notable speakers included Dr. D. K. Sadana, Founder of ILSI & Chair of HimRRA, Karnal; Ramesh Bhatti and Ritesh Pokar from Sahjeevan, Bhuj; Dr. Ravia Gupta, Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu; Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra, Member of RISG-SA, Jammu; Megha Sheth from SAPA, Ahmedabad; Prof. (Dr.) S. Naseem ul Zafar Geelani from SKUAST-K, Srinagar; Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool from SRDE, FRC-J&K; and Shahid Saleem from RISG-SA, who shared insights on rangelands and their management.
On the final day, delegates interacted with local nomadic people and pastoralists in Hajin, Gulistan, Pulwama.
This interaction provided a platform for understanding the challenges faced by these communities and exploring sustainable management practices.
The delegation, accompanied by Director, RDD Kashmir, Joint Director RDD, Kashmir, Additional Secretary RDD and ACD Pulwama, offered expertise on conservation and economic improvement strategies for pastoralists.
The workshop, among others, was attended by Director General of Rural Sanitation, J&K, Director RDD Jammu/Kashmir, Director Panchayati Raj, J&K, CEO IWMP, COO Himayat and other senior officers from various departments.