In the tribal belt of Littipara block (Pakur district), Jharkhand, a quiet shift is taking place. What began as informal discussions in a few hamlets—Durio, Kathalpara, and Chhotapokhriya—has grown into a conservation effort now spanning 14 villages. At its core is a change in how communities perceive and care for the forests around them—not as extractive spaces, but as shared responsibility.
Facilitated by Sarva Seva Samity Sanstha (4S India), Common Ground initiative partner, the local community across these 14 villages has voluntarily replaced long-standing practices of forest burning for Mahua collection with fire-free, ecologically conscious methods. This collective choice has led to the formation of the Jangal Bachao Samity, a community-led forest protection committee.
This has helped protect 7 hectares of land so far, supported biodiversity, and strengthened local governance. Beyond this, over 90 households have adopted fire-free Mahua collection methods, leading to improved yields, a return of mushrooms and soil moisture, and an income increase of ₹2,000–₹4,000 per family. Notably, the 2025 Mahua season saw zero forest fire incidents across participating villages—an outcome entirely driven by voluntary rules, peer learning, and shared stewardship.
Importantly, this shift was not imposed. It was seeded through deliberation, upheld by self-drafted rules, and supported by women’s leadership and inter-village cooperation. Songs, forest walks, and storytelling now help carry the message further to other blocks and districts.
More than fire prevention, the effort reflects the role of customary self-regulation, ecological care, and community participation in shaping governance norms associated with the Commons. It shows what becomes possible when dialogue replaces prescription, and local knowledge is given space to guide collective action.
The effort was anchored through a central meeting at Gadphari Chabutra, a traditional tribal gathering space, and brought together voices from 14 villages, including Gadphari, Durio, Kathalpara, Chhotapokhriya, Badapokhriya, Tisero, Shyamlapur, Koiram, Chhota Kaldom, Bara Nijripahar, Jhapri, and Makhnipahar. The outreach has since extended to neighbouring hamlets now.
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In the News
Times of India: 14 Pakur villages embrace fire-free Mahua collection | Ranchi News - The Times of India
The Pioneer: Tribal villages in Santhal join hands to protect forest through fire-free practices
Hindustan: महुआ चुनने के लिए नहीं लग रही जंगल में आग
Dainik Bhaskar