A Comparative Study of Activities Conducted for Re-Strengthening of Community Based Organizations in District Bagh, Ajk

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the conditions of community organizations before and after re-strengthening in district Bagh, AJ&K. A total of 89 respondents were randomly selected while one union council(Islam Nagar) was selected purposively out of which three villages i.e. Bhount, Karl Maldayalan and Karl Abbasi were also selected purposively. Study indicates that majority of the respondents were female. Most of the respondents joined COs in 2003 while all COs were re-strengthened in 2005. About 70% respondents stated that old COs had partial achievements of objectives while 92% attended the trainings arranged by AJKCDP. Savings increased after re-strengthening of COs. Similarly, 78% respondents were facilitated with the credit programme of AJKCDP. Majority of the sampled respondents utilized credit on livestock. Similarly, majority of the respondents were of the view that after re-strengthening the conditions like agriculture, income generating opportunities, skill development, self-help, and empowerment were much improved as compared to old COs. It is concluded that AJKCDP has brought positive change in livelihood development of rural people. Moreover, at village level local people are always facing many problems in credit provision and are more dependent on livestock and agriculture for their survival. Provision of services from the government sector is very poor. People are not aware to utilize their natural resources well. Therefore, it is highly recommended that institutional approach should be adopted which is very productive to help each other and to make contact with other government and non-government organizations. It is also recommended that an attempt should be made to maintain self-sustainability and motivating the people to work by themselves for improving their socio-economic condition in future. Trainings should be enhanced so that they become better source of income generating activities.