Rajputana Society of Natural History

Rajputana Society of Natural History

About

The origin of the name of Society lies in the Historic importance of the word. " Rajputana ", the common designation to that portion of India which is known to be ‘the abode of princes' in the British India Era, is the corrupted word of Raethana came out from Rajwara (regal dwellings) now it is Rajasthan.

With the aim of revival of the " Aranya Samskruti" and concept of " Prakruti Purush" , Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) is involved in protection and conservation of the natural heritage through mass involvement on the principle of "Conservation Practices for Sustainable Livelihood".

Mission "Save Nature, Nurture Future"

Patron- Trustee & Chairman

Mr. Gopal Krishna Mehra Retd. University College Librarian & Secretary - M. L. S. University Pensioners' Association

KEY AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The Society works in the field of Nature Conservation & Environment Protection along with Social Works. It cooperates and works together with governmental/ non-governmental organizations at every level. Broadly the aims and objectives of the Society are as following:

KEY WORK AREAS

Since 1999, the members of RSNH are involved in the activities of Nature Conservation and Environment Protection in Rajasthan. The members had conducted and organized surveys and programs of the related field before the formal registration of the Society. The organization was registered in year 2006.

The below mentioned are key areas of works/activities undertaken by the RSNH after its formal registration:

  1. Environmental Awareness Programs (EAP)

With the aim of spreading mass awareness on the issues related with Nature Conservation and Environment protection at local/ regional level. It is non periodic activity which are target based, aimed at local/ regional environmental issues and includes target group based activities of selected rural/ urban areas.

  1. Ornithological Awareness Programs (OAP)

With the aim of spreading mass awareness on avifauna and their habitats at local/ regional level, this program was started from the Udaipur region. It is also non periodic activity which are target based, aimed at local/ regional environmental issues that includes field trips/ excursion, indoor presentations, exhibitions etc.. The program also links birding/ birdwatching with local employment generation.

  1. Nature camps (NC)

With the aim of spreading mass awareness on natural heritage at local/ regional level and their importance at state/ national/ global level, this program was started for the local target audience. The camp includes camping in forest areas nature trails, interactions with the concerned specialists. Like OAP, this activity is also planned to link the Employment through Conservation of Natural Heritage at local/ regional level.

  1. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

With the aim of rescue operations carried out for saving organisms harmed due to human induced accident &/or incidents as per the WPA, 1972.

  1. Disaster Risk & Mitigation Programs

With the aim of spreading mass awareness, targeting deprived sections of the community especially vulnerable population in the rural areas of Rajasthan, on aspects of disaster risks & responses, preparedness, mitigation etc. The respect and encouragement of the local practices & traditional approach of disaster preparedness & mitigation is our priority. The trained local rural groups of volunteers are planned in the rural areas of north-eastern parts of Rajasthan.

  1. Awards & Promotion of Grassroot Workers

With the aim of promoting and encouraging persons from grassroot level (from the target community) who contributed socially, scientifically and traditionally in any field of which is beneficial for the larger section of mankind.

  1. International/ National Days

The International/ National recognized days related to Nature & Environment are being celebrated every year by the volunteer team of members all over State. National days such as 15 August, 26 January and 2 October are also celebrated in particular rural area to sensitize whole of community for resolving local/ regional environmental problems on their own.

  1. Campaigns

The Society has started and collaborated with similar organizations to raise mass awareness through campaigns. Issue of Climate Change, Application of Renewable Sources of Energy, Organic Farming, Species & their Habitat Conservation Campaigns etc. are few of the themes of activities in this section. These activities are continued yearlong.

  1. Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops

Non-periodic activities which are being organized in collaboration with Academic Institutes/ NGOs/ GOs.

  1. Cultural Awareness Program

Non-periodic activity which is being organized for the target groups of children for exchange of the cultural heritage of their respective regions.

  1. Interfaith Activities

With the aim of uprooting the problem of caste discrimination and sectoral divisions, the activities on the interfaith with prime focus on the natural resources (water).

  1. Women Empowerment

With the aim of empowering the rural women, several programs and activities were started in the target villages through Self Help Groups (SHGs). Gender mainstreaming, non-formal education and skill development, awareness, income generating activities/ trainings etc. are main focus area in SHGs.

  1. Nature Tourism

It was started with the key aim to provide information on effect of human activities in the Earth's environment. The two sites selected for this work are Abu Hills (Sirohi, Rajasthan, India) and Chak Ramanagar (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India).

Abu Hills is one of the natural heritage sites of Rajasthan. The wildlife mixed with the historic culture is one of the most praising aspects which will attract all types of visitors from the globe.

Kumbhalgarh Hills lie in the southern parts of Aravallis with rich biodiversity. Recently notified as National Park, Kumbhalgarh provides visitors a site of cultural and natural heritage of typically of Aravallis.

Chak Ramnagar village adjacent to world heritage - Keoladeo National Park present a mix juncture of ‘ Banjara ' culture and traditions with the ecosystem. This will provide a base for the Researchers and visitors to learn about the eco-culture of this community.

  1. BPCL-RSNH Projects on Improvement of water conditions in Rural Areas of Bharatpur (http://www.indiawaterportal.org/post/11771) (http://earthmatters.ning.com/profiles/blogs/community-participation-in ) (http://www.grida.no/publications/et/ep7/ebook.aspx)

With the support of Oil Industry Development Board - Drought Relief Trust (OIDB-DRT) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited - Corporate Social Responsibility (BPCL-CSR), work of drought proofing of rural areas was started from 2008. Since then works in nine villages (ten sites) were completed.

Project BOOND IV: work of drought proofing work in two villages, namely Achalpura and Nagla Maliyan (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India) had been completed in 2008-09.

Project BOOND V: work of drought proofing village Chak Ramnagar (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India ) had been completed in 2009-10.

BPCL-CSR Project: work of improving drinking water situation in rural areas (Ekta, Kharera, Murwara and Mahrshi Basti) of Bharatpur (Rajasthan, India ) has been started in 2010.

Project BOOND VI: work of drought proofing of village Dopura (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India ) has been undertaken in 2010.

Project BOOND VII: improvement of water conditions & sanitation in village Khadera (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India) has been completed in 2013.

Project Dopura Phase-2: improvement of water conditions & sanitation in village Dopura (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India) has been completed in 2013.

Ongoing Projects

  1. BPCL-RSNH Water Projects (2012-2018): started in twelve villages (Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India) with the aim of improving water conditions, sensitizing and creating mass awareness on conserving natural resources, livelihood/ social upliftment programs, etc
  2. RSNH - Rajuptana Green Warriors (RGW): Mission of seven sisters (RGW) started from Chak Ramnagar village to uproot social evils from the rural community, sustain livelihood and empower rural women.
  3. Rajputana Rural Enviropreneurship Development Centre (RREDC): at Ramnagar/ Chak Ramnagar for skill development, capacity building and sustainability of the grass root level RSNH Team. Basic & Fundamental course/s - Vocational such as Stitching, Sewing, etc for women empowerment; Skill Development - Personality Development, Spoken English/ Computer, etc; Professional - Ornithology, Leadership in Conservation, etc.
  4. Cultural & Natural Heritage Tourism at Chak Ramanagar, Bharatpur (Village Khadera) (Rajasthan, India): Implementing Agency- RSNH through community involvement along with ‘Banjara' Society of Cultural & Natural Heritage.

Information

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