The pasture lands of plenty: A development journey from Udaipur's villages

By Bharat Dogra 

The Kherwara block in Udaipur district has emerged as a significant center for pasture regeneration initiatives. Jaan Mohammad has been closely involved in several important efforts in this area. Speaking about his experience of working on around 75 hectares of land in Valibol village, he recalls that in some areas, the regenerated greenery became so dense that it was difficult to walk through the trees.

While this was a major achievement from the perspective of environmental protection, it also proved highly beneficial for sustainable livelihoods. Villagers gained access to more grass and leaves to feed their livestock, and the improved green cover contributed to water conservation and better farming. The trees also offered new income opportunities for those who collected honey, gum, timru leaves, and fruit—a fruit somewhat similar to chikoo.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when livelihoods were severely impacted, these resources became a lifeline. A woman named Naduphoola began collecting timru fruits in large quantities and selling them in nearby areas, more than making up for the loss of her other income sources. Another woman, Dhanu, coped with her losses by gathering fallen branches and selling them as firewood. In this way, even in the most difficult times, the regenerated trees and pastures provided crucial support to the community.

Jaan Mohammad shares similar experiences from his pasture regeneration work in Suveri. His friend Salim Bhai has also contributed to successful efforts in Javas village, where, in addition to benefits for people, a significant increase in wildlife has been observed.

In Gogarwara village, I met Manilal and his friends, who drew inspiration from earlier pasture regeneration work in the nearby village of Dhanawara. They have played a key role in tree planting and fencing. Nearly 15 species of trees have been planted, including fruit-bearing trees like sitaphal, mahua, and jamun, along with bamboo. Despite threats from wild animals, the villagers remain deeply committed to these efforts. This year, around 13,500 pulis (bundles) of grass were collected and shared among the community—each bundle costing about ₹20. According to Manilal, the work also generated significant local employment through digging trenches and fencing. Wage payments were made more promptly than is often the case with NREGA work, he noted. Another villager, Rasik Lal, emphasized that these efforts will greatly strengthen the village’s primary livelihood base—animal husbandry and farming—in the years to come. Such is the enthusiasm of the people that they have made voluntary contributions to build a community center near the newly regenerated pasture land.

What ties all these initiatives together is the support and encouragement of Seva Mandir (SM), a leading voluntary organization. Narayan Joshi, a senior SM member who has been involved in these efforts for many years, explains: “Nearly 90 pasture regeneration initiatives have been carried out in Kherwara block, and it has become a leading hub for this work. These efforts have also involved removing illegal encroachments, which required a great deal of community unity. Despite several local challenges and obstacles, the work has been progressing very well.”

Apart from issues such as damage to young plants by herds of wild animals—especially nilgai—another serious threat has emerged in recent years: destructive mining practices in certain areas, including illegal mining of marble and other stones. In the Kalyanpur belt, coordinated community action succeeded in halting some of this illegal mining. Efforts were also made to regenerate the vacated land, though success there was limited due to severe loss of soil fertility.

In recent years, a promising new opportunity has emerged: nearly 70 community forest plots in this block have been identified and approved for community management. This allows communities to protect the forests while also benefiting from them through the sustainable collection of grass and other minor forest produce.

Although this work has begun with the right spirit, the challenge remains significant and will require continued effort and time. However, if it progresses well, it will further enhance Kherwara’s reputation as a leading center for community-led pasture and forest regeneration. It will also strengthen the region’s recognition for effectively integrating environmental protection with sustainable livelihoods. This model offers a promising path forward for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, with the enthusiastic involvement of local communities.

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The writer is Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include 'Planet in Peril', 'Protecting Earth for Children', 'A Day in 2071', and 'Man over Machine'