SUBHADRA KHAPERDE

THE LIVING FORESTS Guarding Their Forests-Bhil

The Sondwa Block of Madhya Pradesh saw unprecedented commercial exploitation of its forests which upset the fragile hilly ecosystem. The Bhil livelihood was the most affected with dwindling forest resources on one end and the Indian Forest Act on the other which deemed them criminals in their own backyard. In 1983, the Bhil of Alirajpur began organising themselves to protect the forests - their lifeline.

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