Srinagar, Sept 11: A one-day Survey-cum-Awareness Programme was successfully conducted in the tribal village of Wangath, Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir as part of DST-SEED funded project, “Inclusion of Indigenous Survival Skills in Livelihood Security of Tribal community in Kashmir, India.”
According to a statement issued here, the objective was to map traditional livelihood practices and survival strategies of the tribal population. By understanding traditional practices and aligning them with modern livelihood opportunities, the initiative seeks to strengthen economic security while preserving cultural identity and ecological balance.
During the programme, experts and field workers engaged with residents through interactive session held at PM Shri Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Wangath to understand their current socio-economic status. Saima, a vocational trainer, helped to coordinate local participation and logistics. Special acknowledgment was extended to the school principal, Mr. Ab Majid Sofi, whose support and hospitality were instrumental in the success of the program.
The program was conducted by Institute of Business and Policy Research, SKUAST-Kashmir under the leadership of Dr. Omar Fayaz Khan (Principal Investigator of the project). Recognizing the immense potential for income enhancement, the visiting team of project staff and students, briefed the community about forming collective units for dairy-related activities, and traditional cultural experiences. These units, once registered and properly trained, can receive structured support in terms of registration and legal facilitation; provision of equipment; skill development and capacity-building trainings and linkages to markets and dairy boards.
Dr. Omar Fayaz Khan highlighted the project goals and explained the importance of community development initiative
