Principal Investigator: Dr. Pankaj Tiwari, Executive Director, Central Himalayan Environmental Association (CHEA), Nainital, Uttarakhand

• Contact Details:  cheaindia@gmail.com +91-9412034374

• Thrust Area:  Gender sensitive development

• Project Area: Lamgara and Dhari Blocks of Almora and Nainital Districts in Uttarakhand

Click to View  OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (134Kb)

Objectives:

• To develop the grass and legume based fodder on ground (3-4 nutritious fodder species) and in situ soil- water conservation system in community forest (Van Panchayats) and private lands for quality feed production and reduction of women drudgery
• To demonstrate the appropriate management techniques for reducing the fodder wastage and promote their acceptability by communities
• To take measures which strengthen social and ecosystem process viz. strengthening Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Village Forest Councils (VFCs) and Community Resource Centers (CRCs) for sustainable development and livelihood promotion

Uttarakhand state has a variety of livestock i.e. Cattle, Buffalo, Goat, Sheep, Horses, Mules and Poultry but large populations, low productivity and scarcity of fodder are the major problems of livestock in Uttarakhand. The major livestock produced in Uttarakhand are milk, meat, wool and eggs. Thus, to improve the livelihoods, reduce women drudgery and restore ecosystem integrity, it is important to improve the breeds of existing livestock and produce quality fodder on ground so that women are not forced to collect fodder from distant places. Easy access to fodder and having better practices of livestock management i.e. promotion of artificial insemination, introduction of improved bucks for promotion of semi stall feeding practices of goats will result in enhanced milk production and allied products for commercial gains.

Progress:

• Beneficiary selection completed.
• Regular village meetings are conducted with community members to keep them abreast with the successful implementation of project activities. Synergy between SHGs and VFCs for best usage of resources is under process.
• In all, 33 SHGs have been adopted, represented by 345 female members, and linked with banks for financial sustainability. Besides this, a total of 20 Van Panchayats (VPs) selected for project implementation.
• Active involvements of SHGs in record and book keeping have been ensured during the reporting period. Thus, assured participation for implementing the intervention at grass root level along with linking the SHGs with different programs has been ensured.
• 30 meetings/workshops conducted
• 6 trainings on livestock health, fodder management imparted
• 250 informational material distributed
• 100 males, 64 females participated in the workshops and trainings.
• 9 mangers for improved feeding method for the livestock have been constructed in the house of 9 beneficiaries in two villages. About 50% of the total cost has been borne by the project.
• 150 vaccinations and artificial insemination carried out in cattle.
• A total of 3810 water recharging pits, locally k/a khals (3m by 1m) (160 in number) and khantis (3650 in number) have been constructed by local villagers in two districts.
• Promotion of improved perennial fodder grasses in 2 Ha area.
• 80qt. of fodder grass were provided for direct sowing.
• 33 SHGs were adopted under the project.
• 1 book on fodder and manger published.

Awareness and discussion among the villagers