Payvihir, which has a 182-hectare forest under community forest rights (CFR), has worked wonders in the last four years, showing the way for tribals.

Representatives' obligations would include highly constrained ‘delegated’ responsibility whereby they are subject to clear mandates given by the delegators or electorate rather than attaining independent power, they can be recalled and must report back, among other responsibilities.

"पेसा व वन अधिकार कायद्याच्या प्रभावी अंमलबजावणी शिवाय, व गाव-गणराज्य ग्राम सभा निर्माणाशिवाय मार्ग नाही"

The only way ahead now is effective implementation of FRA and PESA and recognition of village self rule through the gram sabha

Thousands of women who have graduated from the ‘school of life’ are transforming village panchayats with their able governance.

Community Rights of Jamguda were recognized - rights such as those to manage the forest, to collect and sell minor forest produce, etc. - in 2010.