The prospect of being kept out of forests they have occupied for 50 winters, on the pretext of environmental conservation, the Gujjars of Uttar Pradesh have finally taken a stand against the avarice of forest department officials.
Rameshwari has been working as a scavenger in the pilgrim town of Ajmer in Rajasthan for the last 15 years. She abhors her work, yet she does it as it is her only source of livelihood.
From the 9th century to the 16th century, south Indian kingdoms did not have irrigation or public works departments. Temples were given the job of constructing and managing irrigation channels, which they devotee endowments.
The Budakattu Krishikara Sangha, with its emphasis on people oriented strategies, has improved tremendously the lot of the tribals in and around Honsur taluka.
