Other States - Rajasthan   

Raikas to seek role in resource conservation

JAIPUR: A delegation of Raikas, the community of sheep and camel breeders from Rajasthan, will ask

the planners at an international gathering in Switzerland to allow the continuation of their traditional livelihoods.

They will seek a central and explicit role for themselves in the conservation of animal generic resources for food and agriculture.

The Raika herders, famous for having created some of the best livestock breeds, are to press for a commitment from the governments at the first international conference on animal genetic resources at Interlaken next week for inclusion of Livestock Keepers’ Rights in the scheduled Interlaken Declaration and Global Plan of Action at end of the FAO-sponsored event from September 1-7.

“The goal of Raikas and other representatives of herding cultures is to convince the governments that they should be given an official role in the efforts to conserve animal genetic resources. Many breeds will only survive if they themselves are given grazing rights,” observed Hanwant Singh Rathore, director of the Pali-based Lokhit Pasu-Palak Sansthan, which is supporting the tour.

“The adoption of Livestock Keepers’ Rights would ensure that the traditional herders continue to make a living from their animals and thereby sustain the diverse breeds that compose biodiversity and are considered essential for long term human food security,” said Mr. Rathore, who would act as the translator for the group, which comprises Mangilal Raika, Ramu Ram Raika and Daili Devi Raika. Tola Ram Bhil, a traditional musician, who is the pioneer in camel breeding in Rajasthan and Harmel Ram Raika, would accompany the team, which will also attend the International Gathering of Nomads and Pastoralists, being held in Segovia, Spain.

They will also participate in a meeting of the governments that have signed the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification in Madrid.

“The future of some of the best breeds in Rajasthan is on the brink as the pastures are dwindling,” noted Ilse Koehler-Rollefson of the League for Pastoral Peoples, an organization supporting traditional breeders and marginalized livestock keepers.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Raikas to seek role in resource conservation

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu