The Hindu Business Line : Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala plans new projects

Mangalore April 2 The Dakshina Kannada-based non-governmental organisation - Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) - will celebrate its silver jubilee year by launching new projects on education and rural welfare.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Dr L.H. Manjunath, Executive Director of SKDRDP, said the Vice-President, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, would inaugurate the silver jubilee celebrations on April 14, and launch new projects of SKDRDP.

The SKDRDP was established in 1982 by Dr D. Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, to commemorate the installation of 39-ft monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Dharmasthala. SKDRDP is the biggest NGO micro-finance institution in the country with the members saving Rs 66.13 crore and a credit turnover of Rs 476.12 crore, Dr Manjunath said. At present, it operates in 559 gram panchayats consisting of 1,884 revenue villages and 31 towns. Of around 1,300 staff members, nearly 50 per cent are women.

The organisation has promoted 45,756 self-help groups (SHGs) consisting of 4.6 lakh members. Farmers with small and marginal holdings, labourers and women are the members of these SHGs. Over the years, 97,000 farmers with small and marginal holdings have converted 50,000 hectares of barren land into productive green land.

Through its community development activities, SKDRDP has taken up the creation of rural assets. The organisation has contributed Rs 15.93 crore and ensured people participatory contribution in excess of Rs 100 crore.

GREEN FODDER

To a query on SKDRDP's initiatives to improve the availability of green fodder in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Dr Manjunath said that the organisation, in association with Dakshina Kannada Milk Union Ltd, launched a programme in 2005-06 in this regard. Under this, fodder seeds were distributed to 10,000 families in these districts. This initiative has increased the area of fodder cultivation in these districts by 2,500 acres. Now these districts produce four lakh tonnes of additional green fodder, he added.

More Stories on : Rural Development | Karnataka | Events

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page