Climate Action India Project #50846

Plant 10,000 Trees to Reduce Carbon Footprints

by Seva Mandir

Project Report | Jun 2, 2023
Nobody has loved us more than Nature :) #EnvironmentDay!

By Priyanka Singh & the Seva Mandir team | Project Associate

Champions of Nature

Communities have always maintained a nurturing relationship with nature. Recognizing the value of natural resources, community members strive to protect the environment and reduce any harmful impacts upon it. In this effort, The Umed Mal Lodha Environment Awards and Seva Mandir have provided a platform to the individuals and groups that comprise these communities for the last 23 years.

The Umed Mal Lodha Environment Awards were created in honour of the late Umed Mal Lodha, who worked in Seva Mandir. His work was instrumental in strengthening organizational capacity in natural resource development and environmental conservation through common land regeneration. The awards were started to recognize the achievements of rural and tribal communities and individuals who have made a significant contribution towards the conservation of their village's natural resources. As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify across India and globally, the act of recognizing the incredible conservation efforts is more poignant and necessary than ever.

A ceremony was held at Seva Mandir’s Kaya training centre to celebrate the 24th edition of the UML Environment Awards. This year, Snehlata Nath, an Indian activist known for her work with the Nilgiris and one of the founders and directors of the Keystone Foundation, was the chief guest. During her speech, Ms Nath highlighted the importance of protecting natural resources, expressing that “the balance between nature and humankind is the only way to sustain natural resources, and the UML Environment Awards is one initiative that recognizes people who maintain this balance”.

There was an impressive range of nominees at this year's event, including the Green Earth Natural Society, an environmental conservation group from Kishan Kareri village, and Van Suraksha Samiti Palasama, a forest protection society.

In the group category, Rs. 25,000 was awarded to the Green Earth Natural Society and Van Suraksha Samiti Palasama. The Green Earth Natural Society, Kishan Kareri, began as a small organization, created in response to illegal mining and tree cutting. The group's efforts have ensured an end to these activities, and today over 150 species of birds, snakes and trees, as well as many indigenous plants, are thriving in the area. Van Suraksha Samiti Palasama’s work started with the creation of a tree plantation and nursery. By uniting the village members, including women, the group were able to protect and restore the forest.

In the individual category, Rs. 5,000 was awarded to Mahaveer Singh Rathore, forest guard, Santosh Kunwar Bhati, forest guard at Biodiversity Park, Harji Meena, voluntary forest guardian, and Prabhulal Garasia, environmental activist. In addition, Chandrika Kumari from Kotra, Udaipur was awarded a Rs. 15,000 scholarship to support the continuation of her studies.

With your support Seva Mandir continues to preserve the natural resources and ecology that sustains for marginalized communities, combat climate change while applauding grassroot champions along the way.

Thank you for being part of our journey, as we continue to heal and prosper our relationship with nature.

Best regards.

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Apr 11, 2023
Common Pastures of Khuntwada village and its bond with Community!

By Priyanka Singh | Project Associate

Dear Friends,

We’d like to share about Khuntwada village pastures and its community with you. Khuntwada village is situated in Kherwada block of Udaipur district, between the beautiful Aravalli hills. Seva Mandir has had its presence in the village since 1987, through its village institution programme.

With Seva Mandir's consistent efforts the Common Pastureland of villagers are being protected and developed further. When a case of encroachment appeared, the village community was mobilized to discuss the issue among them thoroughly and to find solution to remove the encroachers to free the common lands from any kind of exploitation or misuse. The village community along with Seva Mandir, confronted the encroachers for a peaceful discussion and persuaded them to leave the land. After much inducement, the encroachers finally agreed and removed their encroachments.

In Khuntwada village pasture (Common Pastureland) Seva Mandir along with the community members has done plantation of 9,500 saplings followed by re-plantation of 1,200 saplings. These Commons contribute to livelihood in villages i.e. for livestock fodder, grazing, etc and associated ecosystem of villages as green cover in the area.

Over 220 households are directly being benefitted through resource benefits like grass fodder and other ecosystem services. The village has heterogeneous community including tribal, farming families- Meghwal, Patel etc.

Every year grass harvesting period is celebrated in the village, where a social get-together is conducted involving all family members including inviting married daughters and their children once during the vacations period. The community pays an ode to the harvesting season and pray for a fruitful future for the their children.

The Common Pastureland are not just resources for livelihood but an integral socio-cultural part of the lives of indigenous communities, which must be preserved.

Thank you for joining hands with us in this incredible journey to make this planet a better place for next generations to come. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and for supporting our project and our community.

Regards,

Priyanka & Seva Mandir Team

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Nov 28, 2022
Nobel Laureate & J-Pal Group visited Seva Mandir

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Dear Friend,

Recently, Seva Mandir was elated to welcome 2019 Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijeet Banerjee, Economist, Director J-Pal (The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) and Mohammad Abdul Latif Jameel, Chairman and CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel Group and J-Pal team. This visit was a special visit for both parties due to the exciting exchange of thoughts and ideas shared on the mutual interest in the development of rural communities in Rajasthan.

Prof. Banerjee and Seva Mandir have had a longstanding and strong relationship since 1996. The Nobel laureate has worked extensively on studying various development problems and has helped in contributing to their solutions.

The few days of their Udaipur visit were jam-packed with visits and productive discussions. The J-PAL team, along with Seva Mandir’s team, traveled to remote villages Jalpaka and Jhabla; where they were formally introduced to Seva Mandir’s initiatives including natural resources, early childcare and nutrition, women empowerment and education.

A notable highlight of the visit was Prof. Banerjee’s enthusiastic discussion at a women’s Self Help Group (SHG) regarding the growing challenges of poverty and need for climate action in vulnerable regions and communities such as theirs.

During the community discussion, Prof. Banerjee vocalized, “Climate change and water scarcity are global challenges, and it will worsen in future. In India, the rural community has vast knowledge of water related challenges and its solutions. I look forward to understanding community perspectives and suggestions on tackling the future challenges and its solutions. This democratic approach will enable us to find collaborative solutions to the future challenges.”

Thank you so much for all your faith and continuous support to our programme.

Best Wishes,

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir team

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