In Gujarat, communities partner to protect vital prairies
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For more than 30 years, Sahjeevan, a nonprofit in Gujarat, India, has worked with pastoralist communities to protect grasslands and support their traditional ways of life.
Sahjeevan believes that people who live on and work with the land are best suited to conserve it, and it has expanded its efforts from the Kachchh region to across India.
The organization focuses on areas like the Banni grassland, where herders have grazed livestock for generations, and supports communities adapting to challenges like fencing, invasive plants, and changing land management rules. Sahjeevan assists these communities in claiming rights to traditional grazing lands under India’s 2006 Forest Rights Act. These groups then form committees to manage the land, regenerate grasslands, and remove invasive species, although some claims still await final government approval.
The organization also supports herders raising unique livestock breeds adapted to harsh conditions, such as the Kharai camel, which can swim to reach mangrove leaves, and the Banni buffalo, known for its milk production. Beyond securing land rights, Sahjeevan helps communities diversify their incomes through programs supporting wool, milk, veterinary care, and market access. It has established community-based organizations, one of which now includes over 1,800 animal breeders, giving herders a collective voice.
Sahjeevan also advocates for policy changes and has even supported legal action to remove encroachments on grazing land, demonstrating a commitment to long-term, sustainable conservation.
