⇒ The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala addressed the Saurashtra Maldhari Sammelan at Upleta in Rajkot district of Gujarat on 12 March 2022. It was organized by Sahjeevan (Centre for Pastoralism).
Theme:
The theme of the Sammelan was “Fostering Pastoralism in Saurashtra- Conservation and its Sustenance”.
Discussion:
The Sammelan deliberated upon the conservation of threatened breeds of livestock, particularly the Halari breed of Donkey (breeding tract: Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts of Gujarat).
The Sammelan also deliberated upon constituting an advisory committee with participation of stakeholders for collaborative efforts; need for evolving programs and schemes with dedicated infrastructure for breeding and health care; enhancing resilient livelihood strategizes with a focus on the milk economy; optimizing tenurial security of the Halari donkey breeders with access to seasonal grazing and CFR rights.
Book:
Shri Parshottam Rupala released a book ‘Pastoral Breeds of India’, compiled by Sahjeevan andan “APEKSHA (Expectations) PATRA” was shared by a group of Maldharis from Saurashtra & Kutch at the event.