Paper short abstract:

Successful conservation of natural resources with formation & strengthening of local-level institutions through a mobilisation & participatory approach in rural Rajasthan and multiplier effects in social mobilisation, women empowerment, good governance, community development and livelihood improvement has been witnessed at local level.

Paper long abstract:

The present paper examines the various examples of conservation and management of natural resources that have been developed and adopted through mobilization of people living in arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan. Paper also highlights that how the people movement at grass root level among villages of Rajasthan has transformed things drastically especially in terms of conservation of natural resources, resulting in a sense of collective solidarity by people of the villages to collectively protect their natural resources and construct johads. The emphasis on the formation of gram sabha as the decision making body has ensured that the community, to a large extent, retains the power and responsibility to take decisions. All activities concerning using of natural resource have been kept within the decision making framework of the village, certain individuals have emerged as local leaders and plays the important role of enthusing the village community to rally for a common cause. Emergence of a second level of leadership plays a positive role in sustainability of the initiative. The conservation initiative has been a process of empowerment for the village; it has not only meant construction of water harvesting structures and formulating forest regulations but also the evolution of a new sense of the 'self' based on their successes. Conservation of natural resources in these areas of Rajasthan has evolved as a process of growing self-awareness, self-sufficiency and understanding of the natural world for resident communities under the impact of people movement.