firewood by cutting only the dry branches. During some ceremonies such as a
marriage, the family would have access to one extra tree. At first, we struggled
to protect the forest from nearby villagers, who would sneak into our forest
and steal wood. Therefore, all the women decided to form a small committee
and was assigned the task of guarding the forests trans to four women, who
take turns monthly. These women keep guard on our forests and alarm people
if an outsider steals wood or does anything without prior permission. These
women know each nook and cranny of the forest, because it is the women who
are always in the forest.
Villages from near and far became aware of this mission. They were also trans
inspired and started the mission of forest and water conservation in their
villages. This has reduced the trespassing in villages as more and more villages
joined the effort.
On January 1 2007, various organisations that work with forest and natural
resources organised a 15-day rally over the distance of 300 kilometres. I took
the an active part in the rally. At first, 700-800 people from various villages
participated. The rally over time engaged more and more people and raised
awareness for environmental issues in other ways. We visited village after
village, giving talks, organising plays on forest protection, and teaching village
groups on how to draft work plans.
I do not want to stand for the post next time. Why would I? I have gained all
the experience and learning that I wanted and now I want to give this chance
to other women. There are many other potential women leaders in my group.
I want them to come up and I want to give them my support and guidance.
We have the greenest forest, it was not like this before, but maybe it will be the
way it was, sometime again soon.