Jan Chetna Sansthan (JCS) has its main focus on the Abu Road and Pinswara of Sirohi district od Rajasthan, India. JCS has been implementing the programmes in the tribal zone of Abu Road. The main working area Abu Road block has a population of 1,65,000 of which 68 % are tribals. These tribes reside in the interior parts of the forest and depend on the forest as their main source of livelihood. They also engage in agriculture during the monsoon season. Out of the total area 65 % part is consisted of forestland with only 6 % land is being under cultivation. Due to soil erosion they are situated on the slopes of the mountains so the farmlands of this area are of very poor quality
In these villages of working area practically there are no basic amenities like safe drinking water, electricity, health services, roads and schools etc. Among the tribals the literacy rate is as low as 13.17% for men and 0.85 % for women.
Reservation of forestland and unreliable monsoon have been severely affecting their system livelihood pattern, so natural resources are depleting due to increasing deforestation. Denial of right over the natural habitat is affecting life style of the people. In the absence of a regular source of income, the people often have to migrate to the cities in search of labour, facing exploitation with fewer wages for more working hours. The women are the worst victims of this exploitative condition.
Considering the difficulties faced by the tribal folks, the social activists decided to work in the area and help the people attain their basic rights through organized and collective efforts. The major thrust of the organisation is to make people aware of their rights and capacity building to solve their problems with their own efforts.
Initially, work was started with 10 tribal villages but gradually the area of action has now expanded to 55 villages where active groups are formed. During the struggle for common issues like right over the forestland, remuneration for Tendu leaf collection etc. people from about 60 villages collaborates.