30.06.23

Setting up Ground for Bamboo Sale in Malkangiri, Odisha: Joining Forces with BGPPL to Foster Forest Economy

On 25 June 2023, a business meeting was held at the Telerai Gram Panchayat (GP), Malkangiri, to prepare for the upcoming July bamboo sale between Gram Sabhas (GSs) and Bilt Graphic Paper Products Limited (BGPPL) in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Organised by the Kalimela Maha Gram Sabha (MGS), the meeting brought together all 24 GS leaders, who engaged directly with Mr Akhilesh Bharti, Manager, BGPPL. The primary objective was to determine the precise rate of bamboo based on its weight in tonnes. Following the discussions, Mr Bharti visited the bamboo depot at Sudhakonda to familiarise himself with operations on the ground.

The forthcoming bamboo sale marks a significant step towards advancing the vision of the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE)—led by the Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) at the Indian School of Business (ISB)—in Malkangiri. By forging direct market linkages between forest-dependent communities and industries that use seasonal forest products (SFPs) as raw materials, we are building sustainable business models that drive economic prosperity at the village level.

We outline the key efforts and strategies behind the upcoming sale, organised into five distinct verticals, each with a specific focus.

Community Forest Resource Rights Titles

In March 2022, we began operations by engaging with government officials to seek assistance in securing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) titles under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006—commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Our efforts focused on raising awareness about the FRA and emphasising the significance of CFRR.

In collaboration with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), we organised the first workshop to develop a plan of action for bamboo management and identify capacity gaps. Participants included the Tehsildar, two Forest Range Officers (FROs), other Forest Department (FD) officials, the Sub-Collector, members of the Forest Rights Committees (FRCs) and Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs), BGPPL representatives, and leaders from 24 villages in Malkangiri.  

Following this, we filed CFRR claims and established the Kalimela MGS to oversee sustainable bamboo management plans. As a result, GSs in Malkangiri are now directly involved in the sale process with BGPPL, fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership.

Technical Interventions

To expedite our efforts, we have leveraged technology in two ways:

(i) Digital Intervention

We used Ratifi, a mobile application, together with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to file CFRR titles and mark boundaries efficiently. To improve market visibility for SFPs, we conducted inventory mapping. These assessments have proved invaluable in facilitating greater trade opportunities for local communities, benefiting BGPPL and fostering active participation at the grassroots level.

(ii) Mechanical Intervention

To reduce the drudgery of collecting SFPs and improve trade efficiency, we collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, to develop mechanisation tools, such as bamboo splitters and moisture meters. Ahead of the upcoming bamboo sale, we introduced the bamboo splitter, a tool designed to divide bamboo into sections. This reduced transportation costs by increasing the loading capacity of bamboo per tonne in trucks. The splitter will also benefit the trade of other SFPs.

However, during the deployment of the splitter machine in Malkangiri, we encountered two obstacles: the designated area for housing the machine was too small, and three-phase electricity was unavailable. These issues delayed the process, but we have since ensured that all eight villages have submitted applications for the installation of three-phase electricity.

We have also trained women to operate the bamboo splitter. By equipping them with the necessary skills, we are creating opportunities for women to participate actively in mechanisation and contribute to the initiative’s success.

Corporate Engagement

BGPPL, a major industry player with decades of experience in Maharashtra, was engaged to procure bamboo directly from community-owned forests. Discussions covered large-scale supply, aggregation, collective sales, pricing, payment timelines and modes, and logistical planning. This direct engagement has laid the foundation for long-term industry-community partnerships.

Financial Inclusion

With a focus on women-led enterprises, we are assisting women in establishing producer groups (PGs) that will ultimately form a unified producer company (PC). Following consultations with the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, we held introductory meetings in GSs to train women in the functions and registration processes of PCs.

Our goal is to complete the registration of PGs and the PC before the upcoming sale. The PC will purchase bamboo from the GSs and sell it to BGPPL after mechanised processing. By empowering women and fostering women-led enterprises, we aim to create a sustainable and inclusive business environment.

Mission Shakti Collaboration

We have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, to promote women’s empowerment and rural prosperity through a sustainable forest economy. This collaboration has been instrumental in establishing the PC and implementing ground-level initiatives. It strengthens our mission and brings us closer to achieving our shared goals of empowering women and driving sustainable economic growth in rural areas.

The upcoming bamboo sale in Malkangiri demonstrates the strength of multi-partnership collaborations. By securing CFRR titles, implementing technical interventions, fostering corporate engagement, and advancing financial inclusion, this partnership empowers forest-dependent communities, promotes women’s empowerment, and eliminates trade intermediaries. It is laying the foundation for a sustainable forest economy that ensures inclusive growth, long-term prosperity, and resilience for future generations.