In 1996 the Parliament of India enacted Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also known as the PESA Act. The landmark act gives rightful powers to gram sabhas in Scheduled Areas. The key feature of this act is to give native residents of these areas the ability to govern themselves through reservations for tribal individuals in Panchayati raj institution, manage natural resources through Gram Sabhas, and ensure each tier of local government is independent.

Despite being a Schedule-V territory with a 100% tribal population, several tiny villages and hamlets in Mokhada do not have PESA status. The bureaucracy is apathetic, and the public is mainly oblivious. In 2014-15, the government launched a push to declare PESA communities, and several hamlets submitted documentation for registration. These submissions were ignored. By organising meetings and designating training motivators for every village, AROEHAN’s Pada Samitis increased awareness.

With our initiatives to make people aware of the PESA Act and ensure their active participation, we have facilitated the submission of proposals for declaration of PESA villages. With regular follow-ups with the Project Officer at the Integrated Tribal Development Project (I.T.D.P) Jawhar, the submissions were accepted and villages were self-decalred as PESA villages.

In the last five years, through various initiatives, AROEHAN successfully helped 30 villages to be declared as PESA villages. Earlier this year, AROEHAN conducted a month long campaign for PESA and Panchayati Raj awareness, engaging over 3,220 individuals from 80 villages in Mokhada, Jawhar, and Dahanu.

There is a common misconception that fallow lands, also called wasteland, cannot be restored or provide habitat for biodiversity and agriculture. Owing to the hilly structures of regions in Mokhada and Jawhar, fallow lands increased. The livelihood options for local tribes were reduced, forcing them to migrate. AROHENA works closely with farmers and in the past two years, AROEHAN has specifically focused on bringing fallow lands under cultivation, enhancing soil health, and conserving water through ASHA, a collaborative project with Siemens Ltd. 41 farmers from 3 gram panchayats were part of this initiative with a mission of turning 100 hectares of land arable.

The farmers mentioned that a large quantity of soil is washed away with water during rice and paddy cultivation in monsoons. To tackle torrential flow, water structures such as earth dams, rock-fill dams, contour bunds, and trenches were built on the slope in regions with minor streams before monsoons. The embankment structures were raised for the unused land from ages, making it permeable for paddy cultivation.

At the same time, furrows were dug in orchard cultivation zones, and the water stored through dams increased the water table, helping natives throughout the year. With the soil no longer being washed away, the farmers were able to continue with diverse agriculture practices and earning a decent amount of income, thus preventing migration. Enthused by the results they have demanded the Gram Rozgar Sevak to facilitate similar works under MGNREGA, a rural employment scheme, in collaboration with the Agriculture and Forest Department, helping more villages for both local employment and agriculture.

In association with the Taluka Department of Agriculture, AROEHAN conducted a Wild Vegetable Festival and Culinary Exhibition and Competition in Mokhada. 30 women from 9 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) participated in this event. The Chief Guests at the event were the Chairperson of the Panchayat Committee Mokhada Mr. Yuvrah Girandhale Saheb, Deputy Chairperson Mr. Pradeep Wagh, and members of the Agriculture Department. Along with AROEHAN’s activists, the students and locals from different villages also attended the event.

The SHGs fetched wild vegetables from the forest and cooked traditional recipes while displaying various vegetables on their stall. The winning group displayed over 48 recipes and 24 wild vegetables. The Mokhada Taluka Deputy Chairman, Mr Pradeep Wagh, offered insightful advice to the women’s self-help groups and encouraged them to keep selling them while the government is also working on providing a market for these vegetables. Not only are these vegetables a healthy part of the diet but they also serve medicinal purposes. Mr. Girandhale stressed the need for these vegetables in both rural and urban areas. While there is a community nutrition deficiency in rural areas, people in urban areas are also vulnerable due to the mass consumption of unhealthy foods. Both regions need to include wild vegetables in their regular diet and should take advantage of the availability of these vegetables within the country. Agriculture Officer Mr. Salunkhe guided SHGs about the production and marketing of wild vegetable-based foods and products.

At the end of the event, all participating groups were honoured and the winning groups were given cash prizes. Suhasini Bachat Gat and Panchsheela SHG from Shirasgaon won first and second prizes respectively and Gurukripa Mahila Bachat Gat from Ghatkarpada won the third prize. The other groups participating were Sauli Women’s SHG, Samarth Women SHG, Renuka Women’s SHG, Anusaya Women’s SHG from Gharkarpada, Mogra Women’s SHG from Sakharwadi, and Jaswandi Women’s SHG from Sonarwadi.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established as an autonomous body in 1929, celebrated its Foundation Day on July 16th, 2024. While agriculture is entering the technology revolution in India, there are various communities especially tribal farmers deprived of various needs for improved and allied livelihood practices. AROEHAN collaborates with farmers and different institutions to integrate farmers’ needs like spheres of crop production, orchard plantation, livestock management, and goat rearing, among other practices. On ICAR’s 96th Foundation Day, AROEHAN conducted a study tour for farmers of Jawhar to Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Kosbad Hill, Dahanu.

Senior Scientist Dr. Vilas Jadhav briefed farmers about Krish Vigyan Kendra (KVK) which is an integral part of the National Agriculture Research System (NARS) that aims at the assessment of location-specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement, and demonstrations. Subject Matter Agronomy Specialist Mr. Bharat Kushare talked about utilising modern technology for lower cost of rice production and gave information on nursery cultivation, tray rice, mattress steam, and modern machinery.

Mr. PV Wartha, Farm Manager at KVK, elaborated on techniques like the token method of paddy cultivation, Saguna Rice Technique, Derm Method, Benefits of mulching paper planting – which can help retain moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for irrigation. Mr Ashok Bhoir, PA of Soil Science, gave instructions about orchard plantation, and the farmers were also briefed about bee-keeping for honey production and poultry farming by Mr. Uttam Sahane- an entomology specialist.

KVKs have been functioning as a Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technology supporting initiatives of the public, private, and voluntary sectors for improving the agricultural economy of the district and linking the NARS with the extension system and farmers. 35 Farmers from Nyhale and Borale Gram Panchayats of Jawhar benefitted from AROEHAN’s expedition to Kosbad’s KVK.

AROEHAN is paying special attention to bridging the gap between tribal groups and technology by using modern technology in all aspects like water conservation, agriculture and agro-based livelihood tools. Through AROEHAN’s Resource Centre – Shramik Adivasi Bachat Gat, Mokhada – the local farmers, self-help groups and other beneficiaries witness demonstrations of various technologies as well as the state-of-the-art farming methods. The latest installation in our centre are Hydroponics for growing green fodder.
An evolving technology, hydroponics is a method of growing green fodder without soil in an environmentally controlled machine or space. This device has been estimated to utilise 98% less water than traditional methods, and the water is recycled. It is possible to generate up to 1000 kg of green fodder per day from 480 square feet of area, which is comparable to 25 acres of cultivable land producing 25 acres of traditional fodder. Fodder can be produced round the year irrespective of the failure of monsoon, land availability, natural calamities, labour shortage. The green fodder is more palatable, digestible and nutritious, it enhances the immune system of animals and augments their productive and reproductive performance.
After thorough testing of the machines, AROEHAN aims to provide training to local tribal farmers in technology usage and maintenance. This will enable ease in adopting new technology and fulfil their requirements for livestock-feeding as well as endorse cultivation in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

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AROEHAN is creating public awareness about the silk industry and get government subsidies for farmers. In collaboration with the Silk Development Officer, a study tour was conducted for farmers at Pimpurna village in Dabhosa Gram Panchayat, Mokhada.

In honour of Savitribai Phule on her 127th death anniversary, AROEHAN organised a show of “Vhay, Mee Savitribai”, a one-act play written and directed by renowned theatre personality Sushama Deshpande. “Vhay, Mee Savitri…” presents the story of life and work of the 19th century social reformers Savitribai Phule and Jotirao Phule. Sushama Deshpande wrote this script 25 years ago. She has presented over 2500 shows as a solo-performance at several places in Maharashtra and elsewhere in India. The play is translated in 5-6 other Indian languages. Very recently its English version is also staged.

The show was organised on 10th March 2024 at Mokhada Ashram school.
The play was performed by the brilliant actresses Shilpa Sane and Shubhangi Bhujbal, who are famous popular actors on Marathi television channels. Savitribai Phule and Jotiba Phule are simultaneously played by the actors alongside other significant people in their journey of revolution. The play presents different phases of Savitribai’s life through monologues, actions, and descriptions. While the acting left the audience spellbound, the struggles of Savitri and Jotiba Phule depicted in the play left one speechless. From young Savitri enjoying her childhood to her marriage with Jotiba, the journey towards becoming the student herself and then becoming a pivotal part of women’s education, each act was gracefully carried by actors. Other people such as Sagunabai, Tatya Saheb Fatima Shaikh, Yashwantrao, Dnyanoba Sasane and many others who played a pivotal role in Savitri and Jotirao’s journey were also depicted in the play.
Jotiba Phule and Savitribai were among the first social reformers in pre-independent India who pioneered new paths and opportunities for the socially disadvantaged, including women, Dalit communities, widows and strived to abolish discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender.
Ms. Sushma Deshpande accompanied the two young actors to Mokhada for this performance. Nandita Patkar, who performs the English version of the play was also present. After the performance, Sushama Deshpande interacted with the audience. She said that she has tried to make this play as accessible as possible to all and anyone can present this play without her prior permission as Savitribai belongs to all. She told the young girls of the Mokhada Ashram School that one 11 year old school girl from Nandurbar district presents the Pawari version. She asked the Mokhada audience to try and stage the play in the local Adivasi languages.

AROEHAN activist Dhanashree came across a 14-year-old pregnant girl Pallavi (name changed) during her regular maternal and child health related interventions. Situated in Shisupada in Agavan Gram Panchayat of Dahanu, Aroehan has witnessed at least 56 teenage pregnancies in the past year. Pallavi’s male partner was 15 years old and she was in her 7th month of pregnancy. It is common among tribal communities that many adolescents cohabit after engagement or stay in a live-in relationship. 

Despite being an at-risk mother, Pallavi was not registered anywhere in the health centre as well as Anganwadi due to fear of legal repercussions against her. Right to healthcare is a fundamental right but the health workers refused to provide her with any service fearing legal punishment. We convinced them to get her MCP (Mother and Child Protection) Card. While the PHC still did not register her as a mother, she was referred to Manav Seva Sangh, an NGO working for orphan children and less privileged mothers. She was able to get some check-ups and necessary medications were provided. 

AROEHAN activist Sujata Ayarkar, who has worked with such cases before, along with Dhanashree went to the police station to intervene with this situation. Initially, the police officer was flipping tables and getting angry over the tribal community for “encouraging” such cases. The police dismissed the case speaking of the prevention, but what when the case has already occurred? After some time we received an off-the-record tip that if the parents of both the minors agree with the cohabitation, the case would be registered under Medico Legal Case and legal repercussions could be prevented against the minors and people helping her.

Pallavi was underage, anaemic, underweight, and an at-risk mother, which meant there were high chances of premature childbirth. She gave birth at Dahanu cottage but it was necessary to transfer her to a hospital with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit facilities. She was transferred to a government hospital with adequate facilities in Silvassa, which is a union territory inside Gujarat state. Our activists were behind her and ensured no legal actions were taken against her and the mother was able to deliver in a safe environment.

As per NIH, one out of every five adolescent girls becomes a mother before turning 18 in India. While we may have progressed in some areas, there are still vulnerable areas which need to be nurtured with proper education and development interventions. In this process, if there were cases of pregnancies, it would be inhumane and unjust of us to refuse them the health services and it also goes against our fundamental rights. We do not promote teenage pregnancies but we believe in every human’s right to safe healthcare.

AROEHAN conducted a ‘Capacity Building of Frontline Health Workers’ workshop for Anganwadi workers across 6 Gram Panchayats across Dahanu. The two-day workshop was facilitated by Mr. Shailesh Dhekale and Mr. Swapnil Vyavahare from SATHI Organisation, Pune. The first day of training was kickstarted by asking participants to introduce themselves by their first name and their mother’s name, to symbolise the bond between mother and child. This was followed by a slew of innovative activities to learn about human anatomy and roles of internal organs.

The facilitators talked about the body growth and associated structures of multiple organs that form the entire body system. AROEHAN Team sang and enacted the song ‘Me Aye Jaduwala’, written by Dr.Mohan Des, with Anganwadi workers which is a whimsical way to remember the crucial information about body parts and also to teach others.

On day 2, facilitators covered various types of germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites), the diseases they cause, and the antibodies and medicines available to treat Anganwadi workers. They spoke of the indicators of identifying malnutrition and how as frontline health workers it can be combated.
During the course of two days, the participants were encouraged to talk about the challenges in their line of work. They raised serious concerns like the epidemic of child marriages, reluctance of the community to take medical help, superstitions, underage pregnancies, systematic challenges to avail necessary schemes to ensure safe motherhood, apathy of some public representatives and government officials, among other concerns.
AROEHAN activists along with Anganwadi workers, performed a play to raise awareness about Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRC) and its importance to combat malnutrition among children. The purpose of such training is to ensure optimal growth of pregnant and lactating mothers and holistic development of young children as well as to expand the capacities of frontline health workers. 36 Angwandi workers were present from Agwan, Ashagad, Asave, Chari Kotbi, Raitali Chandwad and Ranshet Vadhana Gram Panchayats in Dahanu.

On the 15th and 16th of February, AROEHAN conducted a two-day workshop on the theme of “Our Village Our Development”, facilitated by Mr. Datta Gurav from Resource Training and Development Centre at KL Ponda High School. This programme was attended by 128 individuals, including Sarpanch, Sub-Sarpanch, and members of the PESA Gramme Kosh Committee, as well as Village Development Officers from 43 Gram Panchayats in Dahanu Taluka.

On the first day of training, Mr. Gurav explained the arrangements, work, funding, and systems at the Gram Panchayat level. Following that, guidance was given on how to identify village requirements, what finances are available for village development, and how to support village development plans.

On the second day, participants were divided into groups to learn about the various plans for village development. They were asked to prepare the Gram Panchayat Development Plan, Prosperity Plan, Cleanliness Plan, Health Plan, PESA Village Plan, Women and Child Welfare Plan, and Gram Nidhi Plan, as well as elaborate on the development they would like to see in those plans. Each group delivered a presentation regarding their work and how the funds were used. After presenting the drafts, Mr. Dutta described in simple terms how different schemes could potentially be interlinked.

Participants stated that they were able to visualise their aspirations for their villages which boosted their confidence. They also opened up about problems they have encountered while drafting plans for village development and also about their experience with CSR fund planning.  Active participation was seen among participants and their queries were followed through in the sessions. The Sarpanch of Gholvad discussed his experience with Gholwad being named the third honey village in Maharashtra and urged others to strengthen their community via the sustainable use of natural resources.

Panchayat Samiti Dahanu’s Group Development Officer Pallavi Chet, Assistant Group Development Officer Prashant Jadhav, Chairman Praveen Gawli, Deputy Chairman Pintu Gahla, Gram Panchayat Extension Officers Sandeep Jadhav and Santosh Belkhade and Pesa Coordinator Pankaj Dhangda and many others were present for the training.

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