Rooted in Vision, Growing Through Generations
A journey shaped by people and purpose.
In 1985, Kanai Ji returned to Kumaun with a vision of building a society rooted in dignity, justice and solidarity. A year later, CHIRAG was established to work alongside rural communities in the Central Himalayas. What began with a focus on primary healthcare and forest conservation has grown into a broader commitment to rural development, encompassing education, livelihoods and natural resource management. Over the years, our work has expanded across the region, but our approach remains unchanged — to listen, learn and grow with the communities we serve.
Growing with the Community
From our early beginnings in Ramgarh to our present home in Simayal, our journey has been shaped by the people of the region. In 2005, we moved our main office to Simayal village, bringing together our office, training Centre and school in a shared space for learning and community engagement. Today, CHIRAG continues to work alongside local communities, institutions and partners to build a more resilient and sustainable future for the Himalayas.