Laxman, Gyansa and Raghuvati
On the 29th of October and 17th of November 2021 community meetings were held in the villages of Jadh Madal and Karreaam in Patalkot, Tamia Block, Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. The chief guest was the village Patel Shree Mansingh Dhurwe. The meetings involve a total of 23 participants comprising 11 men, 7 women and 5 children. The key issues discussed were the benefits of traditional crops, uncultivated food and the need for community forest rights. The participants shared that in the past their ancestors consumed traditional crops and lived long, healthy lives. They regularly carried loads of 25 to 50 kilograms up hill roads and they rarely fell ill and did not need to visit Doctors. They shared that they have given up or reduced the consumption of various traditional crops like Kodo (Kodo millet), Kutki (Little millet), Sawa (Barnyard Millet), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Bewari, Kangna (Foxtail millet), Madia (Finger Millet), Kusmusi, Dolma. They feel that since they have given up the consumption of traditional crops they have been encountering an increasing number of illnesses and diseases. Four farmers came forward to carry out Dahiya, the traditional agricultural practice of the Bharia in their lands, in the upcoming year. Village elders shared their experiences about the diversity of wild and uncultivated foods available in the area like wild tubers, green leafy vegetables and fruits and the benefits associated with these foods.
Various information pertaining to Individual Forest Rights, Community Forest Rights, Habitat Rights, and other provisions of the Forest Rights Act was shared with the participants. All participants agreed to come together to facilitate a community movement for Habitat Rights.
