The Grass Root Organization for Human Development Godh, which is an affiliate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is an organisation working for social welfare. On Monday, it organised a programme for strengthening the role of gypsy communities in conservation of biological diversity.
Erosion of biological diversity is among one of the greatest environmental challenges of the millennium. While many traditional crop varieties are now getting extinct a number of uncultivated plants that have very useful medicinal and food value are also currently at risk. These need to be cultivated on a commercial basis and for their conservation. Godh has observed that gypsy communities have a very rich knowledge of use of uncultivated food and medicinal plants which they have never shared with the settled community members because of their isolated living.
As a result, Godh states that it wants to document their knowledge of herbal medicine and the use of other food plants. This will include historical context and other issues. The overall objective would be to conserve these plants and crops and provide livelihood opportunities to gypsies. This information was given by Naseem Ahmed, member of the board. Gulshan Tahira also highlighted the role of gypsies in helping conserve the crops and this project initiated by UNDP. A documentary film was also shown that showed the issue in detail. Imran Nafees, Muhammad Ali, Abid Zareef also presented their papers regarding the topic of their seminar. After the papers were presented, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashood visited various stalls at the location. He applauded the project and Godh’s efforts concerning uplifting of gypsies by helping them sell their hand-made goods, while also at the same time helping in conservation of the environment.
He also assured of his help if needed in this project which would save several lives and improve economic conditions of many. Toshihiro Tanaka from UNDP addressed the guests speaking about the organisation and UNDP’s role in the project. Godh Executive Director Mazhar Ahmed Ghazi concluded the event by thanking all participants and those who came for the event and supported Godh in these difficult times.
Civil society and gypsies both attended the function. During the programme, it was also discussed that gypsies’ lives also needed to be improved and they should be given citizenship status so that they could also receive access to security and benefits of society. Godh, they stated, was struggling for the socio-political welfare of the gypsy community since 10 years. They were also executing a health programme for gypsy women and children and presently running nine schools namely, Naya Din, in nine different hamlets of the gypsy community where about 589 children were enrolled.
The gypsy population is not less than around half a million within the 10 million population of Lahore only. This means that every 19th person in the city is a nomad and homeless. Around 0.4 million people of the target population live in makeshift tents within and around the city. These gypsies are politically and socially marginalised and alienated people. They are deprived of the most basic or human and citizenship rights, despite the constitution and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Godh is making efforts to link the line departments with community elders and helping them receive civic amenities.
Most gypsies belong to Qalandar, Changar, Oudh, Musali, Bhatu, Jogy, Nut, Kenghar, Bazigar, Marasi, Lalli-Marasi, Koray, Gurajmar, Gugray casts and stay for about either a few weeks or months, or sometimes about one or two years varying from cast to cast. They beg, sing and dance, along with keeping snakes, picking rags, selling bangles, making canes, juggling, selling toys,
and some daily wage labour.
The value of gypsies
