MARAG, Maldhari Rural Action Group is a grassroots organisation based in Gujarat, India, working closely with pastoralist and other marginalised rural communities to strengthen their rights and dignity through sustaining traditional livelihood. Rooted in the belief that communities are the primary custodians of natural resources, MARAG focuses on enabling collective action, building local leadership, and promoting sustainable, community-led development and governance processes.

MARAG’s work is with pastoralist communities, who depend on commons such as grazing lands, forests, and water bodies for their livestocks and livelihoods. Over the years, MARAG has played a crucial role in advocating for the recognition and protection of commons, supporting community-led governance systems, and strengthening pastoralist identities and knowledge systems. The organisation works to ensure that pastoralism is recognised as a viable, climate-resilient livelihood system that contributes to biodiversity conservation, food security, and local economies.

MARAG has also been at the forefront of promoting women’s land rights and leadership. Through sustained engagement, capacity building, and legal awareness, the organisation has supported thousands of women in accessing land titles and participating in decision-making processes related to land and natural resources.

In addition to land and pastoralism, MARAG works across interconnected themes such as food sovereignty, climate justice, biodiversity conservation, health, education, child rights and livelihoods.