Spreading awareness on conservation of forests and forest fire prevention by members of the Paharia Community in 3 Panchayats of Sundar Pahari, Godda District, Jharkhand

Surja Paharia and Shanti Paharin

Formation of Jangal Bachao Abhiyan Committee

On Friday 28^th of January 2022 Paharia villagers and leaders came together in Ghagri village under Bada Paktari Panchayat to discuss the status of forests and forest resources and devise strategies to promote community led forest protection and conservation. The participants discussed the benefits of forests and the challenges posed to survival and regeneration of forests by regular forest fires. In this regard it was decided to set up a committee known as Jungle Bachao Abhiyan Committee which would spread awareness and promote conservation and protection of forests and the prevention of forest fires in the villages of Bada Paktari, Goradi and Kusma Panchayat.

The committee has 11 members with Surja Paharia from Chamdade village as the President and Jaleshwar Paharia from Cheo being the Secretary. The committee also has 3 Paharia women members who include Kali Paharin from Bada Paktari and Rami Paharin from Chota Palma. They decided to hold regular meetings and awareness programs in villages of the 3 Panchayats using strategies like Natak (street plays) and local songs to spread awareness on the protection and conservation of forests. The programs would involve men, women and even children.

Awareness programs in Balami, Salgama and Pertare villages

On Monday the 31^st of January the Jangal Bachao Abhiyan Committee commenced its campaign to promote conservation and protection of forests. Awareness programs were conducted in the villages of Balami, Salgama and Pertare. Committee members involved in these programs included Srikumar Paharia from Porkhani, Jaleshwar Paharia from Cheo, Surja Paharia and Patras Paharia from Chamdade, and Jamna Paharia form Balami. They facilitated discussions with village elders, men, women and children on the different wild food and forest produce that the Paharia people get from their forests. The challenges posed to their hill forests by fire and the need to protect them from forests were raised. The importance of protecting and promoting regeneration of trees and especially fruit bearing trees was emphasized.

The committee has continued to conduct regular awareness programs and till the 8^th of February around 15 villages have been covered.