Environment

55

Teaching children about the forest in the midst of a sacred grove

Following pages (56–57):

Joining our hands together to make bio-pesticide from the leaves of ten different trees

‘What makes our approach unique is the

emphasis on cultivating local change agents,

reflected in the fact that nearly 90 per cent

of our staff and grassroots volunteers come

from the villages we serve. is distinctive

approach extends to systematic endeavours

in capacity building within communities,

encompassing technical knowledge and

leadership development…Lokpanchayat

methodically leverages existing policies,

laws, and government schemes as integral

assets for mobilising community actions and

advocacy efforts.,’ says Sarang Pande. ese

strategies lead to sustainability and scalability

of interventions.

Tulasabai Dhindale is a Beej Sakhi

(Indigenous Seed Preserver), who was

supported by Lokpanchayat through her

domestic abuse situation by counselling and

legal aid. She became involved in programmes

like organic farming training, indigenous

seed preservation, community forest rights,

and ecological conservation. Now she is a

leader in her village, having started a seed

bank and harvesting and conserving 44 types

of indigenous seeds. In 2022-23 her group

organically produced, harvested, and sold 2.25

tons of millets and pulses from indigenous

seeds. Tulsibai says, ‘rough this work, I

have gained extensive knowledge of plants and

indigenous varieties. Moreover, today, none of

us have to migrate for our livelihoods.’

HCLTech Grant Project Title:

Climate Action

for Community Forest Management

Beneficiaries:

2174 tribal and forest dwellers,

5 Gram Sabha members, 500 hectares of

community forest

Location:

5 villages of Ahmednagar district of

Maharashtra