Forest Rights Act

“In these parts, a forest officer is considered a big deal and often seen as unapproachable to the common people. But DFO Dhammshil would walk and cycle into the jungle, meet people there, explain government schemes to them and emphasise that this jungle belongs to them, and not the government.”

Madhya Pradesh-based Shabnam Shah's efforts against the illegal encroachment of tribal lands recently bagged her an award from the Women's World Summit Foundation

Encouraged by the NGO Khoj, the villagers of this tribal hamlet in Maharashtra embraced the spirit of the contentious Forest Rights Act, 2006, and forged an incredible uplifting story of community conservation.

The tribal women of Odisha have been exporting their plates made out Siali leaves to a German corporation and have been making a decent living out of this.