Author: Deepanwita Gita Niyogi

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Dhokra balances preservation & evolution amidst challenges

Despite the creation of a designated space in the craft city area of Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon for artisans to work, Dhokra craftsmen still face issues such as not receiving fair prices for their finished products and difficulty in accessing raw materials.

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Family of woodcarvers preserves Chhattisgarh’s Muria Ghotul art

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the legacy of talented artisans endures in the small village of Garh Bengal as a testament to the indomitable spirit of creativity.

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A forest hunt for Chhattisgarh’s delicious Pihiri mushrooms

The rare Pihiri mushrooms found amid the lush greenery of Chhattisgarh's Achanakmar Tiger Reserve serve as a lifeline for local villagers who harvest them for income while tackling challenges like wildlife threats.

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This forest guard doubles up as an educator

Laxmi Maravi, who grew up surrounded by forests, but was intimidated by forest department staff, now serves as khaki-donning forest guard. In addition, she is in charge of a school inside the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

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Rural homestays for solo, offbeat travellers

Rural homestays near Orchha provide offbeat tourists and solo women travellers with a serene getaway while boosting the rural economy.

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Soilless agriculture takes root in Haryana

Farmers in Haryana, aided by a government subsidy, are slowly taking to hydroponics to grow exotic vegetables and leafy greens under controlled temperature in poly houses.

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What palmyra palm means to Andhra

From thatch roofs to tasty vadas (fried fritters), parts of the palmyra palm are used in various ways, with even its sap being a summer delicacy. Here are some snapshots of how it’s used in rural Andhra Pradesh.

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Machine eases work, empowers Andhra women labourers

In Srikakulam, zero tillage in maize crop sowing through the double wheel marker reduces workload for women.

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Sariska sets its natives on tiger’s trail

Local youth have been hired as trackers in Sariska tiger reserve that now has 28 tigers. In 2004, it lost its entire Royal Bengal population due to poaching.

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Chhattisgarh’s magical mahua flowers in pics

Versatile and rich in nutrition, mahua is an important forest produce for the tribal communities in Chhattisgarh. Families store dried mahua in bulk to make mahua liquor, a popular beverage in the region.

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Fin following: Gaga over golden mahseer

Efforts of conservationists like Saurabh Dewan are weaning away villagers of Baagi in Pauri Garhwal district from illegal fishing and helping them earn a decent income through recreational fishing as tourist guides

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Bringing the Aravallis back to life

Tree species like sheesham, babool and others planted over 75 hectares of land that was previously mined illegally are helping restore greenery and bring back wildlife

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She wanted to become a forest officer since childhood. Now she is an IFS officer

Observing how the livelihood of her community depended on mahua flowers and tendu leaves from the forest, Stylo Mandavi chose to join the Indian Forest Service. As an officer where human-elephant conflict is common, she must always be on alert.

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A café in Dantewada resuscitates life in a conflict zone

In southern Chhattisgarh, which mostly hits headlines for Naxalite violence, a restaurant serving fresh, locally-sourced food, good music and a convivial atmosphere is making a difference in people’s lives.

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To buy supplies, millet is money in Koraput’s barter system in Odisha

Women across tribal villages store mandia or finger millets in large containers and take out small portions throughout the year for soap, oil, vegetables, dried fish, tobacco and the like

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Odisha’s humble sabai grass makes fashion statement

Brought from Madagascar to Mayurbhanj long ago, sabai grass has been woven into baskets, bags and ropes used in WWII, but it is now a trending item in the high-end fashion boutique circuit.

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In pictures: Coffee cultivation at an unlikely place

Most of us have heard of the delicious coffee beans from Araku in Andhra Pradesh, Coorg in Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala, but do you know about the aromatic coffee being produced in the tribal regions of Bastar in Chhattisgarh?

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Vanishing vultures find friends for their survival

Five Baiga tribal youths track, count and protect the critically endangered Indian long-billed vultures at their roosting site in Aurapani village of Chhattisgarh.

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“With the Bhil Pithora art, I let my creativity run free”

Following the footsteps of her mother, yet developing her own style of painting the Bhil Pithora art, Shanta Bhuriya not only gets commissioned to paint but trains young and old alike to keep this traditional art form alive.

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How rural Rajasthani women break social shackles to earn freedom, respect from Africa tours

Rajasthani women - who barely went outside their state - earn respect after travelling to Mali in west Africa to teach women there how to form self-help groups, never mind make rotis and wear saris.