Securing Rights in FRA

Vayam has helped tribal farmers and forest dwellers acquire their land rights as per the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006. We have put our efforts into capacity building of villagers and frontline government staff, and in lobbying for rights from district to state level. We have been successful in securing land rights (IFR) of 4,500 farmers. We have also helped 15 villages secure Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) over an average of 100 hectares each.

The relationship people have with the forest is symbiotic. They are dependent on forests for food, fodder, firewood, medicines, water, and small but never-failing sources of livelihood: seeds, gum, leaves, fruits, honey and what not that a forest offers. A true forest dweller will never sleep hungry in the forest even though forests are degraded in the northern belt of western ghats. Traditions have been teaching people to nurture the forest to help it nurture them. So, what we can see now is traditions are becoming soul-less and losing their purpose.

Vayam Jan Vana (We People for Forest)

Depleting forest resources hurt the communities very badly because they are entirely dependent on it. Vayam endeavours to revive the natural resources as well as the traditional wisdom.

Project ‘Vayam Jan Vana’ carries the same spirit. Vayam does not think about livelihood without conservation. 12 village Gram Sabhas are participating in this project, covering over 1400 hectares of community forests. The goal of this project is to restore degraded forest patches and grow plants which are most wanted. The project also aims to control the harvest of all forest-plant-produce for its long-term survival.

Biodiversity registers

People from 13 villages decided to document their knowledge of forest biodiversity. From the traditional knowledge that has passed from one generation to next, they have documented 200 plant species. Along with recording the species, people conduct voluntary conservation activities for biodiversity conservation.

Forest food festivals

Forest food festivals are a unique way of celebrating seasonal, wild edible plants. The purpose is to document these species and pass this knowledge to the next generation. The festivals are organised by the village Gram Sabhas. Vayam only guides and helps wherever needed. These food items are not meant for marketing or selling to outsiders. It is a village festival to protect and sustain organic food growing naturally. This event aims to protect and give forest food its due prestige.68 villages organised forest food festivals, documenting over 76 species of edible wild plants.

Honey-bee keeping

People know how to handle wild bees and how to extract honey. But to make it sustainable, Vayam has introduced wild honey-bee farming. Extracting nothing from the forest, but getting ecological dividends that can assure income and livelihood. Currently, 50 tribal families are participating in this.