CASE STUDY 1 :-

LOCATION :-
MENDHA (LEKHA) VILLAGE SITUATED IN GADCHIROLI DISTRICT , MAHARASTHRA
AT TAIL END OF SATPUDA RANGE OF HILLS.

RIVER KATHANI FLOWS ABOUT 1KM NORTH OF THE VILLAGE. THE CATCHMENT OF RIVER KATHANI IS
IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE FOR FISHES AND IRRIGATION . IT IS A SEASONAL RIVER AND DRIES UP AFTER
JANUARY - FEBRUARY , WITH WATER REMAINING IN A FEW POOLS, LOCALLY CALLED POKHARS.

THE VILLAGE IS A TRIBAL VILAGE OF GOND COMMUNITY WITH A POPULATION OF 400 (IN 2005) GRAM SABHA MEETINGS

FOREST PROVIEDS SUBSTANTIAL BULK FOR LIVELIHOOD RANGING FROM FOOD , FUEL, FODDER, TIMBER MEDICINE TO REVENUE.
THE NTFP HARVESTED FROM THE FOREST LIKE MAHUA , GUM , TENDU LEAVES FOR BIDI ROLLING , MEDICINE PLANTS , HONEY AND BAMBOO ADDS VALU-
ABLE INPUTS TO ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE IS LARGELY PRIMITIVE TYPE , GENERALLY PADDY USE OF INSECTICIDES AND HYBRID VARITIES IS NOT COMMON PRACTICE

MEHNDA IS FAMOUS FOR ITS VILLAGE REPUBLIC CONCEPT AND EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY BASED MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
ALL DECISIONS RELATED WITH MANAGEMENT OF THE FOREST AND VILLAGE TAKEN WITH CONSENSUS OF ALL PEOPLE IN THE GRAMSAHBGA.

AFTER SIX YEARS OF LEGAL BATTLE, IT BECAME FIRST VILLAGE IN INDIA TO BE GRANTED COMMUNITY FOREST RIGHTS. TODAY THE VILLAGE HAS SUCCESS-
FUL BAMBOO ECONOMY. AND VILLAGERS MAKE PROFIT IN CRORES, AND ARE USING THE MONEY FOR SEVERAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE ARC-
TIVITIES IN THE AREA.

TRADITIONAL CONSERVATION PRACTICES ARE DOCUMENTED ON 3 SCALES :-

1. SPECIES LEVEL CONSERVATION EFFORTS

2. ECOSYSTEM LEVEL CONSERVATION EFFORTS

3. NEWLY EMERGED CONSERVATION PRACTICES BAMBOO PLANTATION IS SOURCE OF INCOME

NATURE IN TRIBAL
CULTURE OF INDIA