Semal Pastureland: From Encroachments to Collectivism

Abstract

"The constant and serious efforts made by the village community, Seva Mandir, village Panchayat, and the village Patwari ensured that the encroached land in the village could be transformed into the category of a developed pastureland for common usage. Keeping these efforts and the accomplishment in view, following conclusions can be drawn: 1. It is very difficult to work on common land, especially, when it has been encroached. Even after developing such land, its management and distribution of produce derived from it is a challenging task for the village community. Maintaining an appropriate level of management requires activeness and smartness on the part of the village community. 2. Initiative, co-operation and partnership of villagers are very essential for long term development of the pastureland. 3. Collectivism on the part of the village is quite necessary for undertaking any community development project including development of pastureland and for resolving the most difficult and challenging tasks. 4. It is also essential for the Sarpanch and other members of the Panchayat, besides the villagers themselves, to have an inclination towards village development.

"One can hope that the development of land, which was once encroached upon, into a good pastureland as a result of community efforts of Semal village, will be an inspiring example for other villages as well."