TRIBAL WOMEN AND AFFORESTATION

Wasteland regeneration and other forms of alternative livelihoods initiated by ADITHI have changed lives in some of the poorest districts of Bihar. What do economically marginalised adivasi women, with no assets at all in an ecologically degraded habitat, do? Perish, starve or migrate. The tribal community of the Santal Parganas with guidance from ADITHI opted to exploit alternative sources of subsistence in the very place that had degenerated into a no-man’s land.

ADITHI took up the cause of these underprivileged women in 1988. Their aim was to strengthen resource regeneration and livelihoods. ADITHI brought ten local NGOs together under the banner of ‘Ayodare’ (‘women’s power’ in the Santali language). Ayodare was a loose coalition of NGOs working with tribal women in the Santal Parganas, Katihar and Nawada districts. ADITHI provided technical, managerial and financial support. The initial afforestation drive involved the formation of a Mahila Sabha in each village, which worked with the Gram Sabha to procure, register and develop individual and community wastelands. The community land was leased out to the women for 30-90 years. Ownership of individually-owned land was transferred to the landowners’ wives.

Produce from the plantation was divided into four equal parts, and shared between the Mahila Sabha, the Gram Sabha, the landowners’ wives and ADITHI (which gave it back to the Mahila Sabha). The Mahila Sabha initiated a savings and credit scheme, and based on the savings, loans for subsistence were extended.

The initial wages paid to the women as part of the afforestation programme was only a short-term income, since the income from the yield took years to materialize. Thus, alternative livelihood resources were explored. Micro-industries like tussar silk production (Teresa, a craftswomen went to London for the ‘Crafts’ exhibition), jute handicrafts, mulberry sericulture, brasswork, nursery plantation etc have now found a strong hold .

Crop waste is used to feed animals, as roofing material or sold when in excess. Approximately 80 per cent of the villagers get an income from such sale.

These income-generation activities have not only meant availability of employment and livelihood, but a change in the status of the Santali women who now have greater visibility and confidence.

The IGNOU Special Study Centre at Jarmundi in Dumka district was sanctioned to ADITHI about three years ago, which is progressing successfully in reaching education to the backward tribal people in the area.

The Gogobaisi cooperative has purchased a tractor, which was bought from a revolving fund. Women have learnt to use the tractor and are also renting it out, charging a fee for the service which goes for the maintenance of the tractor. 

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