Agariyas have been farming salt since 600 years. Saurashtra Gazettier of 10th century has mention of Chunvaliya Koli community farming salt in LRK. Its traditional art, passed from one generation to another.
However at different point of time, Agariyas were engaged either of king/ruler or by British or big traders. Though Agariyas are primary producer they are always deprived of means of production – Land, Energy source. Only one thing that belong to Agariya is their ‘labour’. As per study conducted by CESS, 82% of Agariyas are landless.
Little Rann of Kutch was declared as Wild Ass Sanctuary in 1973. However as per Forest Rights Act, Agariya community do have rights to use the land for 8 months to farm salt. Agariyas have been asking for Community Seasonal User Rights under FRA and have put their claims. Government has principally agreed to this as it does not divert any land from the sanctuary to revenue or to private body.
Detailed note on LRK and Land rights issue is as follows.
Agariya Heet-Rakshak Manch 
