Gramin Samassya Mukti Trust

Gramin Samassya Mukti Trust (GSMT) is a registered, nonprofit, voluntary organization established in 1991. It is actively involved in the field of rural and tribal development. GSMT is present in various parts of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and works for the development and empowerment of the adivasi people, PVTGs, farmers in distress, women, the landless and migrant families. GSMT’s thematic areas are natural resource management and climate change which entail the local management of resources and the mobilization of people in establishing their rights over natural resources, such NTFPs, and promoting sustainable agriculture and building an inclusive value chain to enhance the bargaining power of the small holder farmers.

GSMT was established with the mission to empower and foster prosperous forest communities. GSMT focuses on promoting climate resilient ecosystems through a multifaceted approach that includes ecological conservation, and biodiversity and wildlife management. By strengthening community-level governance, we aim to create responsible societies and robust institutions, supported by trained village resource persons.

In addition to its grassroots initiatives, we actively collaborate with state and national alliances to advocate for necessary policy changes and the effective implementation of existing regulations. These include the the Forest Rights Act, the Biodiversity Act, the PESA Act and MGNREGA. GSMT leverages the convergence and collective efforts of various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations, to maximize their impacts. GSMT also integrates gender and climate change considerations into its programs, promoting the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in all aspects of forest and natural resource management. Through its comprehensive and inclusive approach, GSMT strives to build resilient communities capable of adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change while enhancing their economic opportunities and quality of life.

GSMT is a member of the NTFP-EP India network and works closely and regularly together with its partners for a wider impact, while also exchanging its knowledge and best practices.