2026-06-26T22:22:42Zhttps://oai.catalogue.archives.ncbs.res.in/oai:archives.ncbs.res.in:/repositories/2/resources/1072026-06-09T10:06:13ZArchives at NCBSTata Institute of Fundamental ResearchAR-010https://catalogue.archives.ncbs.res.in/repositories/2/resources/107Conservation indicaScientists, Policymakers, Activists, and NGOs for Nature and Wildlife Conservation1989 - 2025226 Minutes408 Photographic Prints1022 SheetsIn good condition, some materials have slight wear and tear. enggujhinThis oral history collection features conversations with conservationists who have shaped ecological discourse and policy in Gujarat and beyond. Individuals such as M.K. Ranjitsinh and Lalji Desai share personal narratives of growing up in the semi-arid landscapes of Saurashtra, their professional paths into conservation, and reflections on India’s grassland and wildlife policies. These voices bridge princely-state and post-colonial legacies of conservation efforts, scientific research, grassroots activism, and national-level environmental governance. The interviews chronicle decades of experience in shaping India’s conservation landscape, offering rare personal and political insight into the evolution of ecological thought.
Sahjeevan papers: Sahjeevan is a Kutch-based civil society organisation founded in 1989 to work with pastoral, fishing, farming, and other natural resource–dependent communities in Gujarat’s arid and semi-arid landscapes. Rooted in the belief that ecological sustainability and social justice are inseparable, Sahjeevan’s work integrates conservation with livelihoods, focusing on community rights, local knowledge, and participatory governance of commons. Over the decades, it has played a significant role in grassland and wetland conservation, pastoral and fisheries advocacy, disaster recovery after the 2001 Kutch earthquake, and policy engagement around biodiversity, climate resilience, and customary resource use. Sahjeevan is widely recognised for bridging field-based practice with research, advocacy, and long-term community institution building. The records in this collection reflect Sahjeevan’s work, collaborations, and associated programmes with rural communities, women’s organisations, farmers, and partner institutions across Kutch. The collection also includes material connected to organisations such as Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Abdasa Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Janvikas, Ujaas Mahila Sangathan, and Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan.
ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW: LALJI DESAI:
Description: This oral history records the life of a Rabari pastoralist and environmental activist from Gujarat. It reflects on his childhood in a pastoral household, involvement in water conservation projects in the 1990s, and decades of activism related to land, forests, rivers, commons, and grasslands. The narrative also explores his role in the Narmada Movement, its influence on other environmental struggles, and his contributions to forming national and international pastoral alliances. The recording offers rare insight into the challenges faced by pastoral communities and grassroots leaders, preserving their knowledge, resistance, and vision for ecological justice in India’s semi-arid landscapes.
ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW: MK RANJITSINH:
Description: This oral history focuses on his childhood as the scion of the Wakaner Princely State in Saurashtra, his education and entry into civil services, and his role in drafting the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. It covers his evolving views on conservation, grassland policy, and wildlife protection in Gujarat, his involvement in setting up protected areas, and his research on ecology and wildlife in Saurashtra, offering insights into his contributions to the region's environmental governance.
SAHJEEVAN PAPERS:
This collection documents community-led eco-restoration, gender-focused development, and pastoral livelihood initiatives in Kutch from 1991 to 2000. It includes evaluation reports, progress reports, and proposals from the long-term project “Empowerment of Women’s Groups via Eco-Restoration of Northern Kutch,” implemented by Janvikas Ecology Cell with the Swiss Development Cooperation, KMVS, and Sahjeevan. Also included are a draft Indicative Plan Report for the Little Rann of Kutch under BCRLIP, eight issues of Press Clippings produced by the Foundation for Ecological Security, photographic albums on watershed and fodder security work, and a progress report on pastoral institutions and resource management. This collection also contains reports, proposals, presentations, photographs, assessments, and training records documenting community-based development and natural resource management work in Kutch, Gujarat. The materials cover watershed development, drought relief, drinking water assessment, groundwater surveys, bore drilling, group well irrigation, agriculture action planning, organic farming, fodder banks, renewable energy, saltworker livelihoods, women’s training programmes, participatory rural appraisal, environmental pollution complaints, and post-earthquake rehabilitation.
The collection is arranged into two series. The first series has oral history interviews and the second is comprised of Sahjeevan papers.AR-009 The Science of Pastoral Life: Maldhari Oral Histories and Material CultureCollection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.Copyright may not have been assigned to the Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of the material, and the material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.Ecology -- IndiaGrasslandsWildlife conservationEnvironmental policyPastoral systems