A Small Village with a Big Dream
Nestled in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, Ummedpura may seem like just another small village. But what sets it apart is its incredible fight to protect its community land. A group of determined villagers-everyday people with no political clout or financial power-took on powerful encroachers and won. Their story is a testament to perseverance, unity, and the power of grassroots leadership.

From Livelihood to Struggle
Ummedpura is home to 94 families, with people from diverse backgrounds-Rajput, Lohar, Sen, Vaishnav, Salvi, Bhil, and Bagaria communities. Traditionally reliant on agriculture and animal husbandry, many villagers now work in marble factories or migrate to cities for labor jobs. But amidst their daily struggles, a deeper issue loomed-pasture land meant for the entire village had been illegally occupied by a handful of influential families.

The Courage to Challenge Injustice
In 2012, a group of young villagers decided to take action. They started discussions about reclaiming the pasture land, which had been turned into a dumping yard by industrial businesses. Despite threats from the encroachers-who enjoyed political backing-the villagers refused to back down. For five years, they fought tirelessly, facing resistance at every step.

Strength in Unity
In 2017, the village group joined hands with Seva Mandir, an organization that helped them formalize their movement. A Village Development Committee was formed, bringing people from all castes and backgrounds together on one platform. With collective strength, they intensified their efforts. Their persistence paid off when, in 2018, all 11 encroachers were forced to vacate the pasture land.

The village then undertook massive restoration efforts-building boundary walls, conserving groundwater, and planting 6,000 trees.

The Struggle Wasn't Over
However, the victory was short-lived. The encroachers, unwilling to let go, resorted to legal harassment, political manipulation, and even false allegations to intimidate the villagers. Some went as far as breaking the boundary wall and building permanent houses on the land. Yet, the people of Ummedpura refused to give up. Through peaceful protests, legal battles, and sheer resilience, they kept fighting.

A Victory for the People
Their unwavering spirit caught the attention of the media, local leaders, and ultimately, the district administration. On November 23, 2021, the administration took action-demolishing the illegal structures and restoring the pasture land to the village.

A Legacy of Inspiration
Today, Ummedpura's village group is back to work-rebuilding, conserving water, and planting trees to ensure their land thrives for generations to come. Their journey serves as an inspiration for grassroots movements everywhere, proving that when communities stand together, they can overcome even the toughest challenges.

In recognition of their extraordinary courage and commitment, the Umed Mal Lodha Environment Award 2022 was awarded to the Village Group of Ummedpura.

Their story is a shining example of how ordinary people can become extraordinary leaders-protecting not just land, but the very spirit of their community.