Not too long ago, Bebi Bai, a dedicated farmer from Karwahi, Maharashtra, was struggling like many other women in her rural community to earn a livelihood. At a time when diminishing land rights, depleting forest resources, a lack of infrastructure, and inadequate job opportunities are precipitating rural unemployment, Grow-Trees.com's afforestation project at the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, has not only helped Bebi Bai and over 70 households but also generated over 3000 workdays while restoring the forest ecosystem.
The project has made significant progress, with over 336,023 trees already planted and a target of 436,023 trees. The ongoing initiative promises to create a thriving environment for tigers and provide alternative livelihood options for the tribals, who account for almost 96% of the total population and the dependency on the forest-based industry is high.
Bebi Bai shares her experience as one of the project's beneficiaries and says, "Working with the Grow-Trees.com team has enhanced my farming knowledge and also given me gainful employment. Within five years, we have created a nursery and we work in Karwahi through them. Our tasks include filling the poly bags with saplings, planting trees, watering the saplings and removing the weeds. Due to this, the families in the village are better employed and are able to sustain themselves financially.”
The plantation activities she engages in also give her access to forest produce and improve the ecological balance of the region she inhabits. In an era of intensifying climate crisis, the Pench Tiger Reserve project also highlights the significant role afforestation activities can play in enhancing biodiversity, replenishing water tables, improving soil quality, repairing wildlife corridors, and preserving the natural habitat of tigers. The project is also creating a dense buffer zone to protect human settlements and croplands from wild animals such as wild boars, leopards, and other wild cats. The carefully selected tree species additionally serve as a source of indigenous medicine for tribal communities, which often lack access to adequate healthcare facilities.
Says Pradip Shah, Co-founder and Director of Grow-Trees.com, "We wanted to break the cycle of poverty that rural and tribal communities are stuck in. This project works as a contingency plan for farmers and will help them meet their present and future financial needs. The reforestation project not only contributes to the conservation efforts in Pench Tiger Reserve but also addresses the economic challenges faced by local communities."
This project, which began in 2018, is alleviating rural unemployment and partnering with local communities in Ramtek Taluka to offer sustainable livelihood solutions.
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