Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan, India

The projects of the League for Pastoral Peoples in Rajasthan, India, are implemented in close cooperation with a local NGO, Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan. 

Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan means "Pastoralist Welfare Institute". It is a small organisation devoted to applied research and development for the benefit of people depending on animal husbandry for a living. LPPS has grown out of involvement with the camel pastoralists in the Godwar area and maintains close ties with the Raika/Rebari community.

Founded by a group which included veterinarians, anthropologists and others, LPPS was registered under Rajasthan's Society Registration Act in 1996. Its goal is to support and learn from pastoral communities as proponents of ecologically sound and socially just animal husbandry. LPPS has the following goals:

bulletDocumentation of traditional knowledge
bulletImprovement of income from animal husbandry
bulletProvision of animal health care
bulletCreating employment opportunities for women and youth
bulletBreed improvement
bulletPasture development.

Policies to support camel keepers

The number of camels in Rajasthan has halved over the last decade. This has serious consequences for the many poor people who inhabit the Thar desert and neighbouring areas of the State. It also affects the State's economy and ecology. LPPS focuses attention on this issue in various ways:

bulletHerders' meeting and international conference on building a multi-stakeholder platform for the conservation of the camel in Rajasthan, India.  Sadri, Rajasthan, 18-25 November 2004. More information.
bulletA camel yatra (pilgrimage) through camel-breeding areas. More information.

Veterinary services for camel owners

LPPS is providing trypanosomiasis prophylaxis and mange treatment for camel rearers in the Godwar area. It also educates the camel owners in the use of modern medicines, while encouraging traditional medicine.

Breed improvement

LPPS has distributed superior-quality male stud camels for the purpose of breed improvement.

Survey

LPPS has conducted a survey of camel breeders and their problems in districts of Jalore and Barmer as well as at the Pushkar fair. The results will be summarised into a report to be submitted to the Government of India.

Camel breeders committee

With the encouragement of LPPS, the local camel breeders have formed their own society, the Godwar Unt Palak Vikas Samiti.

Women's training programme

In several villages, LPPS is conducting sewing and embroidery courses for women.

More information

Lokhit Pashu Palak Sansthan
Mailing address PO Box 1, Sadri 306702, District Pali, Rajasthan, India

Visiting address LPPS Training Centre, Butibag, near Mammaji ka Dhuni, Alsipura, via Rajpura, Sadri 306702, District Pali, Rajasthan, India

Tel./fax +91-2934-285086; email lpps@sify.com

Director Hanwant Singh Rathore