One Rupee a Day: How a Rajasthan Village is Leading Wildlife Conservation

In the small village of Dhawa near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, wildlife conservationist Sharvan Patel is spearheading a grassroots initiative to protect endangered species, restore habitats, and foster harmony between humans and nature. Using a WhatsApp group called "One Rupee Per Day for Wildlife Conservation," which has 1,000 members contributing ₹365 annually, Sharvan has mobilized his community to take meaningful action for local wildlife.

“Our Orans, sacred community-preserved lands, are like a home’s courtyard where nature and humans coexist. Wildlife is our responsibility,” says Sharvan, 30, whose work is centered around replenishing these biodiversity-rich groves.

Challenges and Solutions

Growing up, Sharvan recalls a time when deer roamed freely across agricultural fields. Today, pollution, habitat loss, and human activities threaten species like the blackbuck and the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard. The contamination of the Jojri River and the presence of barbed wire fences around fields have further escalated the crisis. Injured animals often fall prey to feral dogs, the only remaining carnivores in the region.

To address these challenges, Sharvan and his team have:

• Built shallow water ponds inspired by the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary model, making water accessible to smaller animals.

• Removed invasive plant species and planted native trees like ber, khejri, and kumatiya to create grazing areas.

• Educated farmers about the harmful effects of barbed wire fences, encouraging more wildlife-friendly practices.

  
  

Community Involvement and Technology

The initiative has extended beyond Dhawa, with people from Barmer, Nagaur, and Bikaner adopting similar conservation practices. Sharvan has used social media platforms, including his Instagram page Thar Desert Photography, to raise awareness and garner support using hashtags like #SaveRiverJojri and #HiranBachao, with the former even trending on Twitter.

Youth and Government Collaboration

Sharvan actively engages school children, encouraging them to learn about local wildlife like the blackbuck and Indian bustard. His team collaborates with the forest department and local authorities to rescue injured animals, refill watering holes, and monitor poaching activities.

A Commitment to Change

Despite holding full-time jobs, Sharvan and his collaborators, Jagdish Pooniya and Radheshyam Bishnoi, dedicate their time to conservation efforts. “We want to show that anyone can make a difference with a little effort,” says Jagdish.

Sharvan’s ultimate vision is clear: “It’s not about sanctuaries holding thousands of deer. I want the lands where we live to flourish as a healthy ecosystem, just like they used to.”

This community-driven approach serves as a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation, proving that collective effort can make a lasting impact.