League for Pastoral Peoples

Jaisalmer Camel Breeders’ Biocultural Protocol in the works

siteadmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:24:05 +0000

The Jaisalmer camel breeders have incredible knowledge about animal breeding annd their eco-system.

The Jaisalmeri camel breeders still have large herds of camels, in addition to keeping other types of livestock, incl. cattle, sheep and goats. They are currently establishing a Biocultural Protocol with the help of LPP’s partner organisation Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS). This process is urgent since the customary grazing areas of these communities are encroached upon rapidly - especially by companies that seek to generate alternative energies (wind and solar). Read more about this issue here.

Camel Charisma opens its first store

siteadmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:23:36 +0000

Camel Charisma is a social enterprise that supports the Raika and other camel breeders to develop and market products from their camels. On 1st February it opened a tiny retail outlet near Ranakpur in Rajasthan.

India’s Unique Breed Saviour Awards

siteadmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:03:56 +0000

The Kharai camel breeders from Kutch were among the proud recipients of a National Breed Saviour Award

In a moving ceremony held at India’s National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in Chennai on 10th January, twenty livestock keepers received awards for their dedication to conserving indigenous breeds. In his speech, the secretary of the NBA, Mr. Reddy, emphasized the importance of Livestock Keepers’ Rights and the need for every civilized country to implement this bundle of rights. More information about the award winners and the breeds that they steward is here.

Breed Saviours to be awarded in Chennai, India on 10th January

siteadmin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:04:14 +0000

Some twenty livestock keepers will be honoured for stewarding the country’s indigenous livestock breeds. They will receive a certificate and a cash award during a ceremony to be held at India’ s National Biodiversity Authority in Chennai on 10th January. Prior to that, on 9th January, the LIFE Network India will hold a meeting to chart its future course of action. For more information, please contact Mr. Vivekanandan, SEVA, 45, T.P.M.Nagar, Virattipathu,Madurai – 625 010.Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: 0452 – 238 09 43 ; 238 00 82. E-mail vivekseva@gmail.com

A Global Agenda for a Sustainable Livestock Sector

siteadmin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:57:38 +0000

LPP’s Ilse Köhler-Rollefson participated in a high-level meeting held in Thailand from 1-4th December, 2011 that sought to formulate a Global Agenda of Action for a Sustainable Livestock Sector. Hosted by the FAO and the Thai government, some 45 participants agreed on focusing on three particular themes that exemplify some of the problems bogging down the sustainability of livestock production worldwide.

Pre-Conference Workshop at the International Association of the Commons in Hydrabad, India

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:26:36 +0000

LPP and Natural Justice organised a pre-conference workshop about Biocultural protocols for Livestock Keepers http://iasc2011.fes.org.in/pre-conference-workshops-10.php which was well attended and involved intense discussions.

Joining Dr. Balaram’s Pathe Pathshala in rural Orissa

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:25:20 +0000

Ilse Köhler-Rollefson had the honor of joining Dr. Balaram’s Sahu’s Pathe Pathshala (“Roadside University”) as a visiting professor for a few days, meeting and discussing with numerous livestock keepers, ranging from cattle to duck keepers. One of the highlights was the release of Dr. Sahu’s book “Ten days in a German village” among the nomadic swine herders.

Camel Workshop and Inauguration of the Camel Dung Paper Unit

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:23:05 +0000

This event marked a milestone: establishment of a small paper making unit on the campus of LPP’s partner Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan. The unit was supported through a grant from the German state of Hesse, as well as Misereor and Ford Foundation. It was inaugurated by Shri Gulab Kothari, Chief Editor of the Rajasthan Patrika. On the day before, LPPS hosted a national-level workshop about camel product development and marketing.

Inception meeting of the Asian regional initiative on Biocultural protocols in Sri Lanka

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:21:29 +0000

Ilse Köhler-Rollefson and Abdul Raziq Kakar represented the LIFE network at the inception meeting of this new initiative that is led by Natural Justice

Visiting Ankole Cattle herders in Uganda

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:18:42 +0000

LIFE Network Uganda member Elizabeth Katushabe and Ilse Köhler-Rollefson visited and consulted with the breeders of the famous Ankole Long Horn Cattle Breed and learned about the economic and other pressures to switch to exotic dairy breeds. Subsequently, they issued a press release to draw attention to the issues