The Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) has been actively engaged in Jharkhand for over five years, conducting groundwork and scoping studies to promote a sustainable forest-based economy. In December 2021, we signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Departments of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare and Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand. This partnership aims to recognise the Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) guaranteed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006—commonly referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA)—and empower forest-dependent communities to supply raw materials to industries.
In October 2024, we renewed the MoU with the Tribal Welfare Commissioner of Jharkhand to further expand large-scale pilot projects that enhance economic opportunities, thereby enabling forest-dependent communities to retain a greater share of the market value from seasonal forest products (SFPs). Through community-based inventories, boundary mapping, and partnerships with private enterprises, we are strengthening sustainable market linkages with women-led community enterprises in Jharkhand.
The Government of Jharkhand launched the Abua Bir Abua Dishom Abhiyan , meaning ‘Our Forest, Our Country’, in November 2023. As part of this initiative, we provide technical support to assist the campaign and work to empower forest-dependent communities by developing JharFRA—a mobile application designed for standardisation, easy access to official documents, and scalability. By simplifying the claim process with pre-filled information, a built-in tracking system to monitor approvals, and a smart logic engine, JharFRA enhances transparency, accountability, and overall efficiency in securing forest rights.Furthermore, we are a key member of the state FRA cell and facilitate on-ground efforts to secure and sustain CFRR for forest-dependent communities in Simdega, Gumla, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum. This includes submitting CFRR claims and drafting Community Forest Resource Management Plans. Drawing from these experiences, we aim to further scale up rights recognition and forest management planning throughout Jharkhand.
Implementation Across Key Districts in Jharkhand
We have successfully established a market linkage between the Sweden-based company AAK and women-led community enterprises across Simdega, Gumla, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum.
In Simdega, our pilot district, we developed a streamlined model for CFRR claim saturation and community mobilisation. The insights gained from this pilot were instrumental in designing the JharFRA application. In 2023, women-led farmer producer companies (FPCs) in Simdega sold 72,000 kg of Sal seeds to AAK, providing valuable lessons that have helped us refine our approach and prepare for future sales.
In the Raidih and Palkot blocks of Gumla district, we are focused on raising awareness, building capacity, and mobilising Forest Rights Committees (FRCs). A significant milestone was achieved in 2024 with the successful facilitation through partnerships with the Indian School of Business (ISB), Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), and Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society.
In the Potka and Dumaria blocks of East Singhbhum, we have conducted extensive, Bir Bandhus (volunteers who assist forest-dependent communities in managing and protecting their forest rights) and other community members on resource rights recognition and CFRR claim generation. Additionally, we support grassroots civil society organisations in strengthening their capacity on matters related to the FRA.
In West Singhbhum, our work is currently in the scoping phase and focuses on mapping SFP clusters and mobilising Gram Sabhas and FRCs to initiate community-led rights recognition and resource management.
Through the Sulabhaa initiative, we are supporting the establishment of women-led community enterprises across Jharkhand. Our flagship Producer Company in this endeavor is Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company.
The Sona Buru Jungle Producer Company (SBJPC) is a women-led Producer Company based in Simdega, Jharkhand. The company is governed, promoted, and owned by Adivasi women from the Bano, Jaldega, and Kolebira blocks—traditional collectors of seasonal forest products (SFPs)—who serve as the board of directors, promoters, and shareholders. SBJPC focuses on the sustainable collection, aggregation, and marketing of seasonal forest products.
Through these initiatives, we are fostering a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable forest economy in Jharkhand, ensuring long-term benefits for both local communities and the environment.
We’re always open to partnerships, ideas, and conversations. Reach out to explore collaboration or to learn more about our work.
14 CFRR Claims Submitted to SDLC, Simdega: CFRR Titles Empower Communities towards Building Robust Forest Economy
Women-led FPC Sold 72,000 Kg Sal Seeds to AAK in Simdega, Jharkhand: Multistakeholder Partnership to Create Robust Forest Economy
A successful government-supported pilot implementation of CFRR in Simdega, Jharkhand
20th Jul 2023
15th Jun 2023
1st Apr 2023
