About the Gaolao Breeders Association
MISSION
To conservation of Gaolao cattle from genetical extinction and foster discrimination-free and prosperous living environment for breeders, where all vulnerable people especially pastorals, nomadic tribes and women and youth who engaged with animal husbandry have access of all forest produce, grassland, sustainable livelihood opportunities and essential services irrespective of their economic and social status.
VISION
To create a strong and independent society without any discrimination and inequalities, where everyone has sufficient livelihood and enjoys equal opportunities and access to the traditional ways of life without the extinctionof their Gaolao cattle.
OUR TEAM
The Gaolao Breeders Association is led by a diverse board of directors, including experienced breeders, veterinarians, CSO’s, and livestock experts. Our team is supported by dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to achieve our mission
Aim and Objective
Gaulaau govansh jatan samvardhan, sanshodhan va paidaaskar charitable trust is an association of breeders working for conservation of vulnerable cattle breed ‘gaolao’ from genetical extinction after the introduction of exotic cattle, hybridization and artificial insemination. The trust members also conserve the grasslands, pastures and forest land from desertification and aim to stop the painful migration of pastorals during the summer and revitalize pastures with grasses, Eco-friendly biodiversity and to prevent it from intrusion of the wild shrubs.
History
Gaolao Trust was founded through the motivation and personal efforts of Mr Pushparaj Kalokar, along with Mr Lobheshwar Asole and other directors.
The goal was to support sustainable livelihoods for pastoral and nomadic tribes.
In 2009, Mr Kalokar and Mr Asole started an NGO called ‘Dwarkadhish Samajik Vikaas Sanstha’, which worked on various social issues.
In 2013, Mr Kalokar became aware of the declining status of the Gaolao cattle, a dual-purpose breed found in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
A survey was carried out in 74 villages to understand the condition and number of Gaolao cattle.
The survey found that only 118 genetically pure Gaolao cattle remained.
With the help of local breeders, they formed an unregistered Gaolao Samvardhan Samiti (Gaolao Conservation Committee).
The committee aimed to raise awareness about the ecological importance of Gaolao cattle and grasslands.
Meetings were held in villages to set community rules and encourage breeders to ban artificial insemination with exotic breeds.
In 2015, this idea was discussed and supported at the Wardha Jilha Gavali Samaj Sanghatana meeting.
In 2020, the committee was officially registered as the Gaolao Govansh Jatan Samvardhan va Paidaskar Charitable Trust in Talegaon (Raghuji), Tah. Arvi, District Wardha.
Since then, the Trust has continued various activities:
Organising annual Gaolao cattle exhibitions in different locations.
Holding training sessions and workshops for cattle conservation and development.
Conducting new surveys.
Creating Forest Rights Committees and Biodiversity Management Committees.
Filing forest land claims in Gaolao areas.
Working with veterinary institutes to improve the genetics of the Gaolao breed.
Today, the association works with:
Gram Panchayats (village councils),
Educational institutions,
Other organisations supporting pastoral communities,
To develop livelihood opportunities and protect the Gaolao breed.
Value and Principles
Gaulaau govansh jatan samvardhan sanshodhan va paidaaskar charitable trust encourage the following values to be practices at individual and organizational level:
- Honesty
- Transparency and Accountability
- Mutual respect
- Productivity
- Gender sensitiveness
- Cost efficiency
- Active Participation
- Solidarity
- Safe guarding
Guiding Principles
- Utilization of traditional knowledge, local wisdom and Experience
- Encouragement to pastorals and tribal culture and prevent ethnic cultures.
- Support the new innovation for betterment.
- Enhance the coordination and networking
- Fulfil the challenges.
Organization believes
- The commitment of pastoral and nomad people is to participate actively in society’s ecological and biodiversity development initiatives.
- In the equal opportunities without any discrimination• In the freedom of profession and freedom of expression for the livelihood.
- In social harmony free from communal bias.
- In education to resolve the various problems in the society.
- In nature who can eradicate the annual migration of the pastorals
- In technology that can expand the awareness.
OUR GOAL
Socio-economic development of vulnerable pastorals and nomadic tribe communities especially women and youth.