Urmul Seemant Samiti
Urmul Seemant Samiti has been actively working in western Rajasthan for nearly 30 years, establishing a strong grassroots network across Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Nagaur districts. Through their diverse range of interventions in education, health, livelihood, climate change, and sustainability, they have gained valuable insights into local communities and effectively facilitated development work.
Urmul's engagement with pastoralist communities in the area has provided then with a unique perspective on the issues that affect this ecosystem. Their aim is not only to mitigate and prepare pastoralist communities for the impacts of climate variabilities on their livelihoods but also to address the challenges they face regarding rangelands, livestock, and other natural resources.
By leveraging traditional knowledge, building partnerships, harnessing appropriate technology, and utilising available resources, Urmul aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the pastoralist communities in western Rajasthan.
The Thar Desert region of north-western Rajasthan is a challenging place to work and live in. The area is near the India-Pakistan border and basic facilities and resources are scarce. Pastoralism, which has traditionally been a sustainable livelihood for the communities that live here, has been declining over the years.
Urmul Seemant Samiti works with pastoral communities in this region. The organization's primary goal is to create opportunities for rural communities in these remote areas and act as a bridge between them and larger markets.
To market pastoral products like wool, milk, and meat, Urmul introduced the Magra Model, which focuses on organizing the back-end of nomadic pastoralism.
The model includes establishing Common Facility Centres (CFCs) along migratory routes. The CFCs serve as anchor points for migrating pastoralists, providing essential services such as fodder, water, technology, and safety.
The project work not only addresses the challenges that pastoral communities face but also creates sustainable and regenerative solutions with potential implications beyond Rajasthan. It empowers marginalized communities and preserves traditional livelihoods while adapting to modern challenges and opportunities.
Kaayamdeen is a pastoralist associated with the Magra Project. After a CFC was established in his area he has been able to avail water and shearing equipment for his goats. He also buys vaccinations and medicines for his goats from the CFC.