05-Jan-2025
Patta Pandum Celebrations in Kalimela Cluster, Malkangiri
Between December 26 and December 31, 2024, the Patta Pandum celebrations extended to seven additional villages and the Bonda PVTGs of Bondaghati. Each village embraced its traditional practices, organizing community feasts, placing posters at traditional boundaries, and conducting awareness sessions. The events highlighted the importance of Gram Sabha authority and responsibility in sustainable forest management.
The villages of the Kalimela Cluster in Malkangiri district, Odisha, have been abuzz with celebrations marking their historic achievement of receiving Community Forest Rights (CFR) titles. Known as Patta Pandum (or Patta Parab), this series of vibrant festivals symbolizes the culmination of years of struggle for the legal recognition of their ownership of forests and forest resources under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
Significance of the Celebrations
The Patta Pandum festivals not only celebrate the recognition of Community Forest Rights but also serve as platforms for spreading awareness about the responsibilities tied to these rights. By placing posters and conducting awareness sessions, the villagers emphasized their collective commitment to
These celebrations inspire other villages to pursue their rightful claims and encourage collective efforts to uphold forest conservation and cultural preservation.
The success of the Kalimela Cluster showcases the power of collective action and traditional knowledge in securing legal rights. These celebrations reflect the resilience and determination of the communities to protect their forests and heritage for future generations.
The Patta Pandum festivals have become more than just local celebrations—they symbolize a movement towards sustainable forest management, cultural pride, and grassroots empowerment across the region.