Three and a half lakh rupees fine in case of soil mining from pasture

In the case of illegal soil mining from pasture land in the outskirts of Hirakhedi village of Uncha Grampanchayat of Rashmi area, on Monday, the Mineral Department has fixed a fine of about three and a half lakhs. 

Surveyor Jamna Shankar Gurjar of the Mineral Department said that in the past days, a JCB and five tractor-to-trolleys were confiscated on illegal soil mining from pasture land by taking joint action on the outskirts of Hirakhedi on which the said mining area was marked and measurement was done on Monday. A fine of Rs 1 lakh 97 thousand was fixed on JCB and Rs 1 lakh 25 thousand 120 on five tractors. 

Surveyor Gurjar told that there is no penalty amount in the event of filling, an FIR will be lodged against the illegal miners in the police station on behalf of the department. On the other hand, the villagers told that in the pasture of Hirakhedi, many bighas were looted by the mafia and illegal mining has been done on the land. But due to the pressure of the leaders, the department has done only a small part of the measurement of mining. The villagers alleged that despite the large-scale illegal earth mining, the department in connivance had provided relief to the miners in a way due to which there is a lot of resentment among the villagers.

Notice regarding removal of encroachment from pond pete in celebration of festival

Tehsildar informed the trespassers to remove the encroachment done in the pond pete of the town. Tehsildar Mohkam Singh said that in Rashmi's Araji number 2398, unknown people put stones and made fences with thorns, encroached on the pond area and blocked the water filling capacity by pouring gravel. While appealing to the encroachers to remove the encroachment within seven days, the Tehsildar directed to register an objection if there is an objection. If the trespassers do not come forward, action will be taken by the administration to remove the encroachment.

Common's week celebration: A photo gallery

Visited the pasture and learned about medicinal plants and animals

Shamlat resources- villagers took oath to save resources and maintain them. 

Pasture development committee

A meeting was held under the joint aegis of FES institution and pasture development committee at Shri Charbhuja Nath temple place in Rooppura, revenue village of Rashmi Devishankar Sukhwal Gram Panchayat Lasadia Kala. 

Block Instructor Kailash Chandra Pareek told that the people present in the meeting were informed about the Common Land Mapping Tool and about the development, management and protection of Shamlati resources and recorded the information received from Common Land Mapping in the register. 

People were informed about pasture land through the Dhara app and CLM mapping apps. Ward Panch Udai Singh and Suresh Lohar of the village and other villagers were present in the meeting.

International Women's Day celebrated under the joint aegis of Gram Panchayat and FES, Rashmi

On International Women's Day, this day was celebrated at Atal Seva Kendra under the joint aegis of Gram Panchayat Harnathpura and Foundation for Ecological Security organization. Various competitions were organized by the women in the program. Various competitions including bindi competition, chair competition, balloon competition were organized. Prizes were distributed to the women who stood first, second and third in these competitions. The girl students of the local school also participated in the same program.

In the beginning, Saraswati Vandana was done by lighting the lamp in front of the picture of Saraswati Mata, after which the program started duly. In the program, women expressed their views on the occasion of Women's Day, and women discussed among themselves how to move forward in every field and become self-reliant. In the program, the block instructor of the institution, Sunita Weaver, cooperated in various competitions conducted by women and talked about becoming self-reliant in every field, while she emphasised that women are playing their part in the development of the country from their homes.

Even during the Corona period, women helped the country in every field. In the program, the district coordinators of the organization, Sanwarlal Jat, Kailash Pareek, Devishankar Sukhwal, Dinesh Pareek also cooperated in the program.

Programs conducted on International Women's Day honored women who completed 100 days in NREGA

On the occasion of International Women's Day, under the joint aegis of Gram Panchayat and Foundation for Ecological Security Sansthan, Bhilwara, a rally was organized at the Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra on March 8 at Gram Panchayat Akola. Padma Ratna Charan was the chief guest of the women empowerment program and Sarpanch Tara Maliwal presided. Chief guest Padma Ratna said that the veil practice of women is still prevalent in rural areas, which are still unrecognised under the right to freedom. Sarpanch Tara Maliwal went from house to house and gave the slogan of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to every woman and took a pledge to educate girls. Village Development Officer Sharda Jat welcomed the guests and women by garlanding the FES organization's trainer Rajendra Singh Chundawat and Ratan Lal Mali, expressing the feeling of equality towards women, the roles and resources of women in economic, political, and social fields. They explained about the role of women in the management and development of women with equality and equality in which various types of competitions were organized. Prizes were awarded for coming first and second and Gram Panchayat and FES. 

To celebrate 100 days in NREGA by the institution, twenty-five women who completed the day were honored with a three-section tiffin prize. On this occasion, Sarpanch Tara Maliwal, Deputy Sarpanch Bheru Lal Jat, Village Development Officer Sharda Jat, Dr. Omprakash Jat, Shankarlal Maliwal, members Leela Bhil, Nirmala Meghwal, Foundation for Ecological Security Sanstha instructor Rajendra Singh Chundawat, and Ratan Lal Mali discussed the present status of women in the program and their development, women's participation. Anganwadi workers, women ward punches etc. were also present on this occasion.

Bird Counting Program in Gondli Kheda pond

Rajendra Singh Chundawat and Ratan Lal Mali, members of the pasture development committee of Goondli Gram Panchayat in Bhopalsagar and block trainers of Foundation for Ecological Security Sanstha, together conducted a census program on the Gondli Kheda pond under Bird Census Week 2021. 

According to the local language, stork-2, heron 6, black cover 25, teatodi 30, white cover-7, and about 70 birds of different species were found. The villagers say that birds come in the form of foreign guests in the pond, who enjoy and do their water sports, due to which people find this sight captivating. The trainers of the organization Ratan Lal Mali and Rajendra Singh Chundawat gave information about the species of birds in nature and their utility, place, importance and their connection with the resources and development. 

In this committee members Prem Jat, Chaturbhuj Lohar and women and men of the village were present.

Bird counting: An ingenius method of protecting the environment

Did you know that individuals with even a meager interest in birds can participate in activities like bird counting? 

If not, then this post is for you! If this is the first time you are hearing about bird counting, then this post is also for you! 

Bird counting is the activity of observing, identifying and listing birds in a habitat¹; can vary from urban buildings to a pond in a sanctuary because, as we all know, birds are everywhere. I am not just talking about those pigeons waiting outside your window panes to build a nest inside your house, instead I am trying to motivate you to look beyond those who show up at your window pane. For exampls, watch the small, brown feathered Bulbul, or the Indian Scops Owl near The Ridge in North Campus, Delhi University² or, if you find yourself fortunate, near a park in your neighborhood. 

Around the world, in order to ignite the passion of bird watching among citizens, a number of events/activities have been formed to ensure the same, of which the Great Backyard Bird Count is the most famous. This event is organised each February for a period of four days where the individuals, using digital tools, observe, identify and list birds either to relax or to compete as a challenge. Last year, according to The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC 2020) summary report, India recorded the second highest spot for bird counting checklist, with the highest number coming from the state of Tamil Nadu³. 

Similarly, FES (Foundation for Ecological Security), an NGO based in Anand, by collaborating in local committees in different states has been participating in Bird Counting for a long time.  For Bird Counting Week 2021, FES collaborated with Rashmi Devishankar Sukhwal Pasture Development Committee Dindoli, and a program was organized under the chairmanship of former Sarpanch and present Zilla Parishad member representative Nandram Bhil at Dindoli pond⁴. 

Information regarding the species of birds in nature and their utility, place and importance and their connection and development with Shamlat resources was disseminated during the program inauguration by Sanwarlal Jat, the district coordinator of the organization. The villagers and FES block instructors of the organization including Rajendra Singh Chundawat from Bhupalsagar, Ratan Lal Mali, Puja Sharma, Devendra Tripathi from Kapasan etc participated and counted the birds. 

After an enthralling week, according to the local language, the villagers in Dindoli village, Rajasthan found about 620 birds of 16 species such as Garat, Water Kagli, Hans, Black bird, Sohan bird, Tithari, Duck, Heron, Dek, Hawk, Parrot, Pigeon, Bird, Harsada! 

Such bird counting events are not just useful for villagers to understand and adapt to their village surroundings, but also a unique way to protect the bird species and the environment. Perhaps, the positive consequences of such an event will build a positive environment for birds, bird watchers in not just rural areas but urban residences as well.

So from next time, remember the words BIRD COUNTING WEEK and witness the fascination of  watching and recording the different species of birds in your area!

For more information on birding, bird-watching in India/world, do take a look at the following links: 

https://www.birdcount.org/

https://birdcount.in/

Endnote: 

1. “Getting started 1: Why do we watch birds?,” Bird Count India, September 6, 2016, accessed August 11, 2021, https://birdcount.in/why-do-we-watch-birds/. 

2. Abhishek Gulshan, “The Indian Scops: Ghost of the city,” The Hindu, May 02, 2020 17:59 IST, accessed August 11, 2021, https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-indian-scops-ghost-of-the-city/article31470542.ece. 

3. 2020 GBBC Summary, Pdf (Great Backyard Bird Count, Canada, 2020), Pdf, https://www.birdcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-GBBC-Summary.pdf. 

4. “Bird counting in Dindoli pond,” The Summary News, 2020.  

A design estimate plan created by Pasture development committee in Rashmi

The members of the pasture development committee formed in the revenue village Balad of Sukhwal Gram Panchayat, along with the instructor of Foundation for Ecological Security Institute, Rajendra Singh Chundawat, visited the pasture land and made a design estimate for the development. In this, an estimate plan was prepared for the development of pasture land, from the protection of 24 hectares of land to the development of that pasture. Trainer Rajendra Singh Chundawat informed all the people that data is entered in the mobile app of the organization, in which the length, width and area of ​​the work is entered, through which the estimate plan of the pasture is prepared by that app, in which the budget estimate for the pasture is protected and developed.

In view of the need of pasture by the people in the pasture, a plan was prepared on various activities including animal-proof ditch, forest clearing, plantation, grass seeding etc. In this, all the members of the committee unanimously made an estimate of 24 hectares of bunding and 10 hectares of grass sowing and plantation. This will get the work approved by submitting the estimate to the Gram Panchayat. In this training Devi Singh, President of Pasture Development Committee, Mat Satyanarayan Nai, members of Pasture Development Committee were present. Trainer Ratan Mali also made the estimate in Hadmatiya with the members of pasture development committee Bhairu Singh, Oonkar Singh and Mate Jitu Singh.

RPL certification program of FES trainers assessed on watershed community mobilizer

An assessment took place on Devishankar Sukhwal Rashmi Chittorgarh Watershed and Community Prior Learning Certification center.

Trainers gathered in front of the centre

The written examination on water consumption was conducted by the National Skill Development Organization under the aegis of Foundation for Ecological Security at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Rithola Square, Chittorgarh. In this assessment, 23 block trainers working in all the blocks of the district participated.

The assessment was conducted at three levels, written examination, oral and after that the knowledge of the trainers was tested by conducting field visits. Gaurav Ambesh and Yogesh Verma, who came to take the assessment from RR Infotech Jaipur, a Skill India testing organization, interviewed all the trainers in turn and answered questions about what they had learned about the watershed so far.

During this, Dimple Kumari, Girdhari Lal Verma and District Coordinator Sanwarlal Jat were present from the FES organization. According to them, on the basis of this assessment, these trainers would be given a certificate by the Skill India Development Organization.

Removal of encroachment: A story from two villages (part 1)

Rashmi road:

For 17 years, Bilanam road was struck with encroachment issues from Dadu Sewak Ashram and Pyarchand, the son of Bhairu Lal on Rashmi road. 

A crawler excavator being used to remove encroachments 

On complaint, tehsildar gave 7 days notice to the encroaches to remove the encroachment from the road. On a given time and date the encroachment had not been removed. Then subdivision officer Mukesh Kumar Meena, tehsildar Naresh Kumar Gujjar, Girdawar, Patwari entered the location and removed encroachment from around 200 metre long road. 

Source: Dainik Bhaskar (Chittorgarh Bhaskar)

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Formation of Banjar bhoomi and chargah vikas samiti, Somi village in Rashmi tehsil

Banjar Bhoomi and Charagah Vikas Samiti were formed at Somi gram panchayat.

Under the joint aegis of Panchayat samiti and Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), the samiti was formed and the members were given training in the auditorium hall of Somi gram panchayat.

Training session at the Chargah Vikas Samiti, Somi gram panchayat

In this, leaders from the organisation, Dinesh Chandra Pareek and Kailash Chandra Pareek, gave a speech on common land institutions, safety protocols regarding environment and the ill effects of environment exploitation and positive utilization of common and pasture lands. Furthermore, dignitaries such as Sarpanch Narayan Lal Aheer, Deputy Sarpanch Jamna Devi Aheer, Ward Panch Kishan Lal Aheer, Gram Vikas Head Madan Mohan Bhati, Rozgar Sahayak Kailash Sharma and gram residents were present.

Training of Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas Samiti Gram Panchayat Somi

On dated 3 October one day training for Bajar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas was organised at Gram Panchayat Atal Seva Kendra, Somi , participants build their understanding on common resources  through preparing village resource map .Filed trainer sensitized participants on over exploitation of commons resources .

The Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas Samiti was also organised on the same day for future works on commons .

Resource Map Village Somi GP Somi  

News Paper Dainik Bhaskar Reporter Dyashanker Sukhwal 

Training of Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas Samiti Gram Panchayat Bhimgarh

In gram Panchayat Bhimgarh a Training on Banjar bhumi and Charagah Vikas Samiti was organised , The trainer Kailash Parik and Dinesh explained in detail how to develop the commons land. They also briefed about contribution of these commons land in environment.

Panchayat Level Banajr Bhumi and Chargah Samiti was also formed to coordinate the activities under Section 170 (a) of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act.

Training of Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas Samiti Gram Panchayat Rund

On dated 11 October Training on Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas was successfully completed in Gram Panchayat Rund block Rashmi during the training participants , prepared village resource map for building understanding on commons , In the training with village participants Sarpancha Hans Raj Jat , Bheru Lal Gurjar , Shyam Sunder Gurjar (Patwari) and Devkishan Bhat (Village development officer ) was presented .

News Paper Dainik Bhaskar 12 October 

Block Workshop on Pasture land Development in Rashmi Block, Chittaurgarh

Block level workshop of  Banjar Bhumi and Charagah Vikas Committee members was completed successfully in Rashmi Block of Chittaurgarh 0n 20th September 2019. The workshop was chaired SDM and Pardhan of the block .

Major discussion covered in the workshop are

• Importance of common land in ecosystem  , 
• Relationship and dependency of resources on each others , 
• Community governance on common land,  
• Organising Block and GP level committee and their roles and responsibility. 

In the block workshop all line department representatives were present.

News Paper Danik Nav Jayoti 21 September 

Block Workshop Rashmi , District Chittorgarh