OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2012. In continuation with its community development efforts, Tata Power, through its subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (CGPL), has provided an innovative and replicable model by establishing Fodder Supply Centres and building Gaushalas (animal shelters) in 2 panchayats of Mundra, Gujarat. The Gaushalas are spread across 13 acres of Company’s land with two fodder storage sheds, 5 cattle sheds and cattle troughs. Presently around 3000 cattle are catered to by these Gaushalas, which receive a supply of 4777 MT Green Fodder and 3942 MT  Dry fodder. The grazing land mitigation plan and interim supply of fodder has set up new benchmarks in the region as well in the state of Gujarat.

Tata Power, through this initiative, has helped the community and the cattle owners who are largely dependent on dairy, to access regular fodder supply for the cattle thus ensuring their source of income. Post attaining the license to operate in the area, the company has benefited more than 400 cattle owners of Tunda, Vandh and Mota Kandagra villages in the project vicinity.

In order to institutionalize the process and make it sustainable with minimal intervention from CGPL, two Charitable Trusts “Tunda Vandh Gauseva Charitable Trust” and “Motakandagara Gauseva Charitable Trust” were formed having major representation from the villagers.

Appreciating the efforts of CGPL, Mrs. Vanka Bhima Rabari, 55 years old, resident of Vandh village said, “The Company has made a Gaushala (animal shed) right next to the plant where all the cattle come for grazing. The Company supplies regular fodder in the gaushala for the entire year. Earlier the inhabitants could keep mostly small animals like sheep and goats. Due to this intervention of CGPL for supply of fodder, the inhabitants are keeping cows and buffalos. The efforts of CGPL is praise worthy as even during the draught like situation fodder supply is continued. Today the production from my cattle is around 300 liters per day. This initiatives of CGPL for mitigating the Grazing land issue by supplying regular fodder has helped the cattle owners immensely in maintaining the traditional occupation .” Due to CGPL’s initiatives, we are continuing with our traditional business/occupation.

Speaking on the initiative Mr. Asha Bhai Rama Bhai Rabari  , 45 years old, Dy. Sarpanch Tunda-Vandh panchayat said, “It is the result of participatory meeting with CGPL team and also by involvement of  Govt. officials. The main purpose was how to maintain the traditional occupation of the inhabitants of the vicinity. The Company has constructed the Gaushala by extending their own land of 13 hectares which is having all the facilities for cattle survival viz. drinking water, fodder storage and fodder supply, that too free of cost. For better management and creation of ownership, the Company has formed trust comprising of the community members which is a very welcome step. This model is very unique across the state and a successful venture for restoration of livelihood for the cattle owners. By these initiatives the relation between the company and villagers have also strengthened. He also emphasized on the sustainability of the existing Guashala by arranging the forward and backward linkage with active involvement of the trust for further holistic development of the cattle owners.”   

Speaking on the initiative, Mr K. K. Sharma, Chief-Mundra Project said, “I feel proud to be associated with this unique model which is in accordance with Gandhian philosophy, that too  in the land of Mahatma Gandhi. This initiative has helped to improve livelihood of residents around Mundra where various amenities are making the life for the farmers easier and simple and enhancing their standard of loving. This initiative has been well received by the community.”

The Trust formed comprises of community members and three representatives from the company. It has its own bank account from where the transaction takes place. The signatories are from the company and from the community to maintain the transparency and ownership among the community. Further the Trust also sells cow dung. For the efficient management of Gaushala, a group of Gaushala workers are engaged for better fodder management & housekeeping of the Gaushala, whose salary is borne by the company.

The Company is further looking at expanding their initiatives at the Gaushala through initiating a self-sustenance model, institutionalizing the trust and initiating phase wise planning for the development of the Gaushala.

Community work by CGPL: Coastal Gujarat Power Limited has begun the journey of engaging its neighboring communities to address their developmental needs and issues. A systematic strategy has been followed for the identification and grouping of stakeholders based on their influence, leading to a phased stakeholder dialogue. It includes exploring and engaging, building and formalizing, implementing actions and then continuously evaluating in a manner that institutionalizes relationship with communities.  The programs and their outcomes are aligned to achieve high level of impact and level of sustenance. The above strategy has taken the Company to a journey that spans the themes of education, health, income and livelihood generation, natural resource management, infrastructure and institution building.

About Coastal Gujarat Project Ltd (CGPL):CGPL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed for setting up and operating the 4000 MW Mundra UMPP. CGPL has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with seven procurers (distribution licensees) from five states i.e. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab for the sale of contracted capacity. The Mundra Power Project, India’s first UMPP is progressing well and the second unit is scheduled to be commissioned by August 2012.