Work you can walk through

A multi-stakeholder conclave bringing together government officials, environmental experts, academics, students and civil society. Sessions covered plastic pollution, the Chhattisgarh Eco-Restoration Policy, the economics of climate change, land restoration, and bird and wetland conservation. The DFO introduced Mission LiFE and its Pro-Planet People vision, followed by the “Kala Jattha” cultural programme and a field visit to Talapuri Wetland.

A data-driven workshop on the visible effects of climate change in Chhattisgarh — average temperatures of 25–26°C, declining and irregular rainfall, and rising forest fires. With 44% forest cover and ~22 million people dependent on forests, the session focused on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable forest management, water conservation and community-based resilience.

A BMC strengthening programme on Biodiversity, BMCs, PBR and ABS. Sessions covered the roles of BMCs, the People's Biodiversity Register, Access & Benefit Sharing, the importance of birds and trees, and an avitourism model to generate livelihoods through bird-watching. Participants documented rare and unique species of the Dhamtari region.

Held at the Dugli Forest Range office with BMC members, women's self-help groups, forest officers and villagers. Experts covered PBR, rare tree species like Dahiman, and the avitourism potential of this area bordering the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. A group activity rewarded participants for naming rare and medicinal species, followed by a field visit to the hills and the tourist village of Jabarra.

A BMC workshop for members, forest staff and women's self-help groups covering the People's Biodiversity Register, conservation of endangered tree species, and the role of local communities. The team met SHG women producing mahua pickle and discussed how the NGO can strengthen eco-tourism activities in Balod district.

A two-day workshop with DFO, SDO, forest staff, JFM and BMC members on BMC importance, PBR, habitat conservation, eco-tourism, home-stays and ABS. A biodiversity contest rewarded villagers for documenting dozens of tree species. The team explored Mongra Dam, identifying strong potential for bamboo rafting, bird-watching, trekking, boating and camping as future eco-tourism activities.