Dr. Naresh Kumar Gautam
Abstract
Medha-Lekha
is a tribal village located in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, which
has appeared as a successful model of community ownership and self-governance
under the Community Forest Rights Act of 2006. The village embodies the slogan,
“दिल्ली, मुंबई में हमारी सरकार, हमारे गाँव में हम ही सरकार” (In Delhi and Mumbai, it's their
government – in our village, we are the government)." The Gram Sabha
(village assembly) is the highest decision-making body here. It collectively
makes rules, takes decisions, and implements them. In a noteworthy move, the
villagers transferred their private land to the Gram Sabha, thereby
establishing shared proprietorship over land. Every resident has access to
year-round employment, and through activities like bamboo harvesting, honey
production, and the sale of other forest products, the village earns an annual
income of nearly one crore rupees. The community ensures equal participation in
education, healthcare, and housing, while also promoting gender equality. The
village strictly follows principles such as prohibition of alcohol, transparent
financial management, and scientific forest conservation. Medha-Lekha’s journey
began as a protest against the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and excessive
government interference. This struggle culminated in a historic victory in 2011
when the village was granted community ownership rights over 1,890 hectares of
forest land. By liberating forest resource management from bureaucratic
control, the village has achieved economic self-reliance and has become a
beacon of inspiration for other movements across the country fighting for
rights over jal, jungle, and zameen (water, forest, and land).
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Published: May 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 05]