- Community Forests Rights Training:
During February 2026, Shivganga continued organising multiple Community Forest Rights trainings throughout the month, engaging 2,068 community members from 72 villages. The trainings focused on building awareness about the Forest Rights Act, 2006, guiding communities through the process of forming Forest Rights Committees, completing necessary documentation, and initiating participatory mapping of traditional forest areas. Through these meetings, Gram Sabhas were empowered to collectively initiate the process of claiming, managing, and protecting their community forest resources.
Gram Samiddhi, Dev Seva Yatra
The Gram Samriddhi Devseva Yatra reflects Shivganga’s effort to strengthen community ownership and collective responsibility for the well-being of villages. Rooted in the tribal tradition of Devseva, the yatra emphasizes service to the five elements revered as deities by the Bhil community, Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Jameen (land), Janwar (animals), and Jan (people). Through this journey, communities are reminded that protecting these elements is essential for sustaining life and ensuring long-term village prosperity.
Organized by Shivganga from 4 February to 11 February, the Devseva Yatra travelled through 199 villages, witnessing the participation of 11,230 community members. During the journey, participants visited villages, held meetings and collective dialogues, and organized Halma activities to clean and revive Matavans, strengthening the spirit of environmental stewardship and community service.
In many places, people gathered collectively after a long time, creating a moment of reflection and renewed connection within the community. The discussions during the yatra encouraged villagers to continue these traditions of collective participation and to resolve for regular monthly meetings, strengthening a sense of place-based ownership and responsibility toward their villages and natural resources.
Through the Devseva Yatra, the spirit of collective service and cultural responsibility was reaffirmed, inspiring communities to continue working together for the protection of nature and the prosperity of their villages.
National Workshop: Tribal Knowledge Systems and Animal Husbandry
Shivganga representatives participated in a National Workshop on “Tribal Knowledge Systems and Animal Husbandry” at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur. The workshop focused on the scientific relevance of traditional tribal livestock practices. Shivganga participants Rajaram Katara, Vijender Amliyar, and Kamesh Damor shared community experiences and highlighted the importance of preserving and integrating indigenous animal husbandry knowledge with modern practices.
National Level Workshop: National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
Shivganga representatives participated in a National-Level Workshop on the effective implementation of the PESA Act, organised by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and the School of Excellence in Panchayati Raj in Hyderabad from 16–18 February 2026. The workshop brought together participants from across India to share state-level experiences, discuss implementation challenges, and strengthen the role of Gram Sabhas in tribal self-governance, while also developing a pool of national-level Master Trainers.
Animal Husbandry workshop
Seven youth from Jhabua participated in an Animal Husbandry Workshop at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhar. The training focused on scientific poultry farming practices, including disease identification, vaccination, nutrition management, and basic treatment. It also highlighted livestock-based entrepreneurship, equipping rural youth with skills to develop sustainable self-employment opportunities through animal husbandry.
District Level Meeting
A District-Level Meeting was held at the Shivganga Training Centre, Dharampuri, bringing together 350 participants from 124 villages across Jhabua, Thandla, Petlawad, and Alirajpur centers. The meeting reviewed the progress of Shivganga’s various initiatives, including Community Forest Rights, Arogya, Image & Reality, water conservation, Matavan revival, and land regeneration, and outlined plans for the coming month. Participants also shared experiences from the Devseva Yatra, and preparations were initiated for the upcoming Vananchal Sashaktikaran Varg.
