Although forests have historically been the primary source of livelihood for 62 Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers in Odisha, the legal recognition of their individual and community rights over forests came much later, in 2006, through the enactment of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006—commonly referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
The Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE), led by the Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) at the Indian School of Business (ISB), is collaborating with the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, to empower women and promote rural prosperity through a sustainable forest-based economy. This partnership aims to establish women-led community enterprises in the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar under the transformative Sulabhaa Green Business Enterprise Leadership Cohort.
As part of this initiative, a network of 300 women leaders has been formed. Each Green Shakti Producer Company will integrate at least 1,000 primary producers, directly enhancing the incomes of 30,000 women across the state. Our model aims to federate women’s self-help groups (WSHGs), support the securing of Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) titles at the village level, and provide technological assistance to leverage economies of scale through aggregation and mechanisation. It also seeks to establish direct market linkages with major buyers of forest-based industrial raw materials. Through this collaboration, we are assisting the Department of Mission Shakti in capacity building, strengthening financial inclusion, and advancing skill development among the WSHGs. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 20 lakh women across the six districts.
Malkangiri
In the Kalimela and Khairput blocks of Malkangiri district, our field team has facilitated Community Forest Resource Rights claim-filing, forest boundary mapping, Community Forest Resource Management Committee formation, and bamboo management plans
Bonda Ghati
Our work with the PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) community in Bonda Ghati is serving as a blueprint for habitat rights across Odisha, with the Bonda Development Agency assisting ISB with human resources and groundwork.
Mayurbhanj
We have made facilitation interventions in 11 districts including Mayurbhanj with Vasundhara under the MJJY (Mo Jungle Mo Jami) campaign.
In the areas of Malkangiri district where forest-dependent communities have secured CFRR titles and habitat rights, ISB is supporting the development of management plans by the Community Forest Resource Management Committee (CFRMC).
We are always open to partnerships, ideas, and conversations. Reach out to explore collaboration or to learn more about our work.
Our Work in Odisha
Boundary and Inventory Maps Distribution in Korchi, Maharashtra
Incorporation of Sulabhaa Initiative's First Women-Led Community Enterprise: A Step Towards Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Development
18.02.25
25.01.25
05.07.23
Bamboo Dispute in Malkangiri: Sudhakonda Gram Sabha Intervenes After Filing of Community Forest Resource Rights
Setting the Ground for Bamboo Sales in Malkangiri: Partnering with Bilt Graphic Paper Products Limited to Strengthen the Forest Economy
Empowering the Voices of Young Tribal Women: Jamia Millia Islamia Conducts a One-Day Mobile- Based Filming Workshop in Malkangiri, Odisha
30.06.23
10.06.23
20.04.23
Empowering Gram Sabhas: The Kalimela Maha Gram Sabha Formed in Malkangiri, Odisha
Bondas in Malkangiri Begin Claim-Filing for Community Forest Resource Rights: A First Step Towards Legal Protection of Their Forest Landscapes
10.03.23