Prakratik Society
Building understanding between people and nature through education
Prakratik Society was founded 30 years ago, during a period marked by significant conflict between local communities and park authorities. For generations, local people had depended on the natural resources of the forest, but with the establishment of Ranthambhore National Park to protect the tiger, this access was suddenly restricted. At the time, most of the population had little or no formal education, and many lived a life of subsistence, relying directly on natural resources for survival. Without education, it was difficult to convey that although the forest had remained largely unchanged, growing human populations made continued dependence on these finite resources unsustainable. In response to this challenge, Prakratik Society launched a non-formal education initiative, reaching out to both school-going and non-school-going children living near the park's boundary. The goal was to instil a deeper understanding of their fragile environment through informal environmental education, helping them appreciate the importance of conservation and the delicate balance between people and nature.
Prakratik Society's Commitment to Creating Sustainable Change
Across diverse sectors, the Prakratik Society works tirelessly to address the needs of communities and wildlife alike, fostering harmony between people and nature through innovative, long-term solutions:
(A) Education for Empowerment:
For over 25 years, Fateh Public School in Madhosinghpura has been a beacon of hope for
children in Sawai
Madhopur. We
believe education is a vital tool for transforming lives, and through scholarships, we
support 15% of our
students,
with an additional 25% for those from rural backgrounds. Recognizing the importance of gender equality, 41%
of our
students are girls who receive partial or full scholarships. Our goal is to nurture not just learners, but
future
leaders committed to a sustainable future.
(B) Healthcare for All:
Since 1994, our pioneering health services have brought essential care to the most vulnerable. Our
multi-specialty
hospital offers high-quality, affordable healthcare, performing thousands of
surgeries—half of which are
generously
provided free of charge to those in need. With a dedicated team of medical experts, we deliver comprehensive
care across
departments like General Medicine, Ophthalmology,
ENT, Orthopedics, Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. We are the only regional provider of a Neonatal
Intensive
Care Unit, a 24-hour emergency room, and an intensive care unit - removing barriers to life-saving
treatment
for
families
in need.
(C) Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods:
Since 2003, we have partnered with local farmers to improve cattle breeds, reducing
grazing pressure on
protected
parklands and promoting eco-friendly farming practices—preserving both the land and
locallivelihoods.
(D) Cultivating Environmental Awareness:
With support from the Monsoon Accessorize Trust London, we've embedded environmental
education into our
school
curriculum since April 2023. Today, 8,269 children from 23 local schools participate in
eco-friendly
activities like
rainwater harvesting and leaf composting, championing sustainable practices in their daily routines.
"Preserving the tiger population in Ranthambhore is vital, but ensuring peaceful coexistence between people and tigers is equally essential. Through its initiatives, Prakratik Society strives to create a bridge that fosters this harmony."
Transforming Healthcare, Education, and Conservation in Ranthambhore
Through dedicated collaborations and compassionate support, the Prakratik Society, with vital backing from the Monsoon Accessorize Trust, London, has made significant strides in protecting communities and the natural world around Ranthambhore:
Healthcare for All:
In 2004, we helped construct two vital wards at Ranthambhore Sevika Hospital in Sherpur, providing
life-saving indoor
care for women, children, and villagers during critical times - including the COVID-19 pandemic. In
2011,
the hospital was
relocated to Sawai Madhopur town to overcome challenges of accessibility and staff recruitment in the
rural setting.
Nevertheless, the Sherpur hospital still operates as a primary healthcare centre, offering
free
consultations to the
surrounding rural communities of Ranthambhore. Almost all cataract patients are provided with
free
surgeries at the city hospital.
Empowering Future Generations:
Supporting education is key to protecting ecosystems and communities alike. Since 2002, Fateh Public
School has
empowered over 2,500 students from surrounding villages, offering access to higher
secondary education and
inspiring
young minds to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, law, and beyond. This investment in human
potential ensures the
next generation of conservation champions.
Fostering Environmental Awareness:
Our Environmental Education Program, supported since 2023, inspires students across 23 schools in 14
villages to connect
with and protect Ranthambhore's rich biodiversity. Through engaging activities and
outdoor learning,
thousands of
children now understand the importance of conserving their local environment, nurturing
future stewards of
nature.
Supporting Vulnerable Youth:
We are proud to have funded the construction of a boys' hostel near Ranthambhore, opening
doors to quality
education for
underprivileged children. Inaugurated by Peter Simon in October 2024, this facility provides a
safe
environment for
indigenous students like Deepak Mogya and Sunil Mogya from the Mogya tribe, empowering them to
forge a
brighter future
beyond their traditionallivelihoods.
Each of these initiatives reflects our collective commitment to coexistence - protecting wildlife, strengthening communities, and nurturing the hope that future generations will carry forward the torch of conservation and sustainability.
Deepak Mogya is the grandson of the infamous poacher Rajmal Mogya, who was known for hunting several animals, including tigers. We are proud to have Deepak as a resident of the Fateh Public School Hostel, where he is currently studying in Grade VIII. Deepak shares that he passed by what he believes is the best school in Sawai Madhopur and always dreamed of studying here. Becoming a part of this school was truly a dream come true for him. He recalls facing challenges in the beginning, especially with language. He was not fluent in Hindi and often had to use his local dialect to communicate. However, he is now proud to speak and write in Hindi confidently and is making good progress in English as well. Deepak is also actively involved in co-curricular activities, with a special interest in football. He is thankful for the opportunity to study here and expresses deep gratitude to all his teachers for their constant support and guidance in his academic journey.
Aman Kumar and Gajveer Kumar tragically lost their father in an accident when Aman was just 3 years old and Gajveer was 2 years old.
Following their father's death, their mother received support to secure a job at the anokhi tailoring unit in Sawai Madhopur, the largest town in the area. Both children attended Fateh Public School and completed their primary and secondary education here all the way to completion, grade XII.
Thanks to the availability of hostel facilities, Mana and Gajveer were able to stay directly at the school, minimising the long travel that was required before hand.
Aman is now pursuing a Bachelor of computer Applications (BCA) Degree, while Gajveer is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com).
Jyoti Meena, a resident of Shampura village - located 22 kilometers from our school - comes from a community where people traditionally depend on the forest for their livelihood through activities such as cattle grazing and wood cutting.
Due to past conflicts between humans and tigers, there was little interest in supporting wildlife conservation in the area. However, Jyoti and her brother Dharam Meena were given a chance to receive free education at Fateh Public school, along with complimentary transportation.
This initiative encouraged many other children from nearby villages to start attending school as well, allowing the next generation to foster a high respect for the reserve and the animals in it,including the tiger.
Today, we are proud that Jyoti, after completing her education, is now working as a teacher at our school and is also supporting her 2 sons.
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