Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS), LPP's partner organization in India, has launched a project to promote camels as a source of income in Rajasthan's deserts. The project will: Educate and raise awareness of traditional camel breeding communities about new marketing optionsSupport camel breeders in innovating their production systemsEstablish linkages with research institutesLiaise with and lobby government agencies for an appropriate policy frameworkCatalyze private sector involvement and investment in manufacturing and marketing camel productsStrengthen camel breeders' organisation to retain ownership of production processesFacilitate establishment of a common platform for all stakeholders in the camels. LPPS has opened an office in Jaisalmer to manage this project. Contact: Hanwant Singh RathoreReviving Rajasthan's Camel Husbandry ProjectLPPS, Plot #760, Anchalwansi Colony, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, IndiaTel. 02992-250652, mobile 09414818564camelherds@yahoo.co.in, www.lpps.org Reviving Rajasthan's Camel Husbandry is a project of Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan, conducted in cooperation with LPP in the context of the LIFE Network and supported by the Ford Foundation. More information: 213 kb, 131 kb

India marks its independence on 15 August - an ideal occasion to press for the rights of pastoralists to their traditional grazing rights in the country's forests. A ban on traditional grazing in forests threatens the pastoralists' livelihoods. Many are forced to give up keeping animals, in turn threatening the survival of many unique livestock breeds. India's forests must be conserved. But so too must the livelihoods and rights of the people who depend on them. Please print out one of these letters, sign it, and mail or fax it to the addresses below. Letter to be signed by pastoral communities or associations. 27 kb Letter to be signed by non-pastoral communities, volunteers or NGOs in support of pastoralists. 28 kb Addresses Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, New Delhi 110011. Fax 011 - 23019545, 23016857Mr. Raja, Minister of Environmental and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 3 (Fax 011 - 24362222)3)Dr. Abdul Kalam, President of India, Rashtrapathy Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 004 (Fax 011 - 23017290, 23017824)If you live in India, the authorities in your State.

Why pastoralists need help to conserve livestock biodiversityOld myths can die hard. Many policy makers still think that desertification is caused by overgrazing by irresponsible pastoralists - even though scientists have shown that keeping large numbers of livestock is the most productive and sustainable use for drylands. The World Day to Combat Desertification, 17 June 2006, is an ideal time to focus on the important, but little-recognized, role that pastoralists play in conserving the world's livestock biodiversity. This role is being threatened by the expansion of crop agriculture into grazing lands and the spread of "livestock monocultures" of high-yielding, but high-input breeds. More information: In English 46 kb Auf Deutsch 46 kb