Grasslands

Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents The artifacts include a 1982 grassland lease agreement under the Ijara system that evidences local governance and grazing rights; a Gofan (catapult), historically used to deter wildlife from grazing herds; a wooden Kathu (camel saddle) reflecting traditional mobility practices; a pair of intricately enamelled silver Kaldiya (bracelets) worn by women during ceremonies; a handwoven wool Chunari (scarf) from Panchali sheep (indigenous breed), serving both functional and symbolic roles; and an...