Sundargarh Gramya Unnayan Pratisthan (SGUP) is a Non-Government, Non-profit making, Social development organization registered in 1990 in Sundargarh District of Odisha state under Societies Registration Act of 1860. It has been working toward socio-political and economic development of tribal, Rural Poor, vulnerable and neglected communities of Sundargarh districts through promotion of livelihood opportunities, capacity building, Natural Resource management, peoples’ organization, Networking and Right based Advocacy activities.The Organisation has been engaged itself to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its programme and process. It has been also given priority for people-centred, culturally sensitive and ecologically balanced sustainable development process in tribal pockets of Sundargarh district of Odisha State.SGUP has a broad commitment to addressing gender based inequalities in rural and tribal societies, for it believes ascendency of women in social and political decision making process is the key to consistent and sustainable social reform and progress SGUP’s grass-root interventions contributes directly to India’s commitment to 8-point Millennium Development Goal (MDG). Presently, the Organization is working with 22,062 tribal people including people of primitive tribal groups. Its target area is spread over 128 villages under 22 Gram Panchayats of Bonai Subdivision. The head office is located close to Lahunipara Block Headquarters and the branch offices are in Khuntgaon, Raikela, Chordhara, Bijaghat and Fuljhar villages. Mr. Shyam Sundar Rout is the incumbent secretary and chief functionary of the organization.
Genesis of the Organization
In late nineteen eighties, a small band of scholars from PG Sociology Teaching department of Utkal University arrive in Fuljhar village of Lahunipada Village to collect first-hand information on the life of Paudi Bhuyan communities. They observed their distressful and misery living standard with serious impoverishment in health, education, and livelihood opportunities that had forced them to live in segregation, hopelessly trying to sustain an aboriginal culture against threat of disappearance.
Months later, two of the scholars returned to the area by taking own commitment to work with the marginalized and underprivileged communities and begun their work by organizing a small team of volunteers. They formed an organisation named SGUP and mobilized support from government institutions and public to reach out to the communities on different planes. Concern for health, education and social security are high on their agenda. Soon, substantial support and charity begin to make its way into the region. Their passionate advocacy for the endangered tribe wins over high profile persons in district administration and state government.
OUR APPROACH
Our Core Principles
Participatory Approach
Primacy is given to the community’s knowledge and practices. We believe that the community has the ability to pursue and sustain development processes.
Access & Control
Emphasis on people’s right over their resources, issue based actions are taken up to ensure rightful ownership over land, water and forest.
Equality in Resource Allocation
Positive discrimination in allocating resources to the poorest of the poor; to provide a platform for them to enhance their economic level
Gender Equality
Positive discrimination in favour of women is exercised in all aspects social changes introduced into the society.
01.
— Our Vision
The Long term vision of SGUP is “A society with a just social order where each individual achieves his basic rights, food, clothing, shelter, health and education; where values and attitudes of each individual are respected, human rights and individual dignity is maintained
02.
— Our Mission
The Mission of SGUP is to facilitate the process of empowerment of the people enabling them to take control of their lives, resources and democratic institutionsis
03.
— Legal Status of the Organization
- The organization is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 with Registrar of Societies, Sundargarh district of Odisha; Regd. No. SGD- 98354 of 1990-91, Dated 26th October 1990
- The organization is registered under Income tax exemption 12 (a) IT Act 1961 dated 01/04/1993 Sl No – 43/93-94
- Grant of Exemptions under Section-80/G of Indian Income Tax Act, Regd. No. 46/1993-94 Dated 1st April 1993
- Registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) of 1976, with the Ministry of Home Affair, Government of India; Regd. No. 105070027.
Organisational Structure of SGUP
SGUP believes in Team work and seeks participation of the community. It holds the value system sacrosanct for development of the society underlining community decision making, gender justice, communal harmony and inclusive growth.
SGUP has four broad wings, Programme, Administration, Accounts and Support service. The secretary is the leader of the working team and is supported by the programme coordinators, Accountant and Administrative officer. Programme coordinators are supported by the project coordinators and cluster coordinators in the field.
SGUP believes in strong community participation and women involvement in its all process. So above 90% of the working staffs and 50% of the executive members are from local community. Above 50% of staffs and 35% of executive members are women.
The Governing Body of SGUP includes social activists, development professionals, intellectuals and representative of partner community. The meeting of the Governing Body is held twice a year. Governing Body takes all policy decisions and designs strategic interventions. This Body also evaluates all the processes and gives advice for strengthening the organization.
Working Area, People and Issues
SGUP is currently working in 300 villages under 10 blocks of Sundargarh Dist and major tribal groups like Bhuyan, Oraon, Gond, Kisan, Kharia, Munda and a PTG Paudi Bhuyan.
The marginalization process of the tribal communities in this area and in whole Sundergarh districted started with the industrialization, mining and urbanisation of the district leading to large scale dispossession, as also deprivation resulting from the alienation from forest resources on which tribal communities were dependent for survival. In 1961 the tribal population of the district was 58.12%, where as it has reduced to 50.74% in 2011.
Since tribal communities live in close proximity with biodiversity rich landscapes, they have evolved local specific and novel livelihood strategies based on their indigenous knowledge. This knowledge was passed on through generations and it played an important role in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. By and large, they were depending on nature for their survival. Thus, there always existed an organic unity between humans and their surrounding environments in the traditional societies. As a result, there existed an intricate relationship between their culture and nature. Social and cultural diversity, coupled with the environmental complexity, have generated diverse approaches and technologies in the management and use of different natural resources.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the people in this area and above 70% people have engaged in this activity. Some 30 years ago the farmers of the district were practiced traditional agricultural practice which was suited to the agro-climatic condition of the area. But gradually they are motivated and forced to practice modern agriculture followed by green revolution. So like other farming community they are now facing the adverse effect of modern and market oriented agriculture.
On the other hand lack of organisational strength, Awareness, Access and Control over natural resources and Proper attention on sustainable development has forced them to live in livelihood insecurity, migration, Nutrition insecurity, ill health and politically division.
OUR PARTNERS
