Balangir: Dedicated to the cause of flora and fauna, villagers of Kantapali in Kutasingha panchayat in Agalpur block of Odisha’s Balangir district have been standing guard for protection of ‘Kumari’ forest from timber mafia and poachers.
Their commitment to the cause is now three generations old with 600 villagers of at least 150 village families taking turns to protect Kumari forest under the Salebhata forest section of Balangir forest division’s Loisingha range.
People might mistake them for regular locals, but these frail-looking women and men have a very important job to do.
The village has a unique tradition of guarding the forest. Every evening, two families are given batons and flashlights and one member from each family goes to guard the forest the next day.
This has been going on for three generations, said the villagers.
“We eat a stomachful, usually pakhala and some poda (burnt brinjal, tomato, or potato), and head out into the jungle which starts from a temple near the old Mahua tree,” a villager said.
The day starts with prayer before the principal deity Barapahada and village goddess Maa Dasamati. The vast dense forest of 1200 hectares has various types of trees such as Sal, Piasal, Mahuli, Chara, Kendu, Dhaura, etc.
“Animals like elephants, bears, deer, hyenas, foxes, peacocks, and pythons are constantly moving in the forest and a regular sight for us. We are not scared of them, rather believe they protect the jungle,” the villagers said.
There are also many instances of being attacked by wild animals from time to time. One person lost his life in an elephant attack. The aggression of the timber mafia is also a danger that Kantapali villagers face.
Undeterred by the risks and danger, they stand by their age-old tradition. “The forest is our father and mother. It provides us all that we need for survival and cannot let it diminish at the hands of the mafia and poachers,” they added.
People in the village get their food from this forest. The families are run by collecting leaves of sal, honey, jhuna, chara, mushroom, etc. According to the villagers, a five-member committee was used to look after the security of the forest.
With an increase in the number of attacks and aggression, the committee size has been increased to 11 over the last 3 years. Benudhar Naik, Radheshyam Sahu, Ashok Sahu, Jharana Sahu, Sudam Sahu, Pitambar Padhan, Malaya Sahu, Karna Sahu, Ramakrishna Biswal, Suryakanti Naik, and Satish Bishi are active members of the committee.
All works are carried out in consultation with the Forest Department, the committee members said.
At different times, nature lovers from other countries like the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and South Africa have come here.
“They walk around the forest, take photos, and also make films. Seeing the unity of the village, and love for the forest, the foreigners appreciate our work and so do the local forest officials,” the villagers added.
Former president of the village forest committee Nilamani Pradhan, member Malay Sahu, and a villager Bhakti Sahu have received the prestigious ‘Prakruti Mitra’ award from the Odisha government for their noble work.
