The hand that rocks the cradle will now protect forests. Jharkhand Jungle Bachao Aandolan (JJBA) has adopted a resolution to set up an all-women co-operative societies in forest villages to spread the message of community participation to protect the dwindling forest cover.

Women, who are considered to be more close to nature than men, have been roped in for an unique experiment which aims to dispel the notion that tribals are cutting down trees.

JJBA spokesman Sanjoy Bosumallik cites instances in which tribals have fought police and forest officials to protect forests in their vicinity. ?Contrary to popular notions, the tribes, who had at one time cleared forests to settle down and cultivate land, have always been at the forefront to protect whatever remained of the forests,? he said.

Moreover, the JJBA spokesman said, as creators themselves, tribal women are more closer to nature than the men. They depend on the forests for the household more than men ever do.

According to Bosumallik the first such all women co-operative has been formed comprising women in 20 villages in the Maranghada area under Khunti sub-division in Ranchi district. Not to be left behind, women in other seven villages too demanded inclusion in the co-operative. A formal launch of the co-operative will be made on July 21, at a mass meeting at Maranghada.

The Maranghada-based outfit has been named Maki Dai Mahila Sahkari society. Maki Dai was the wife of a close associate of the legendary tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The constitution framed for the first ever all women co-operative society state that no males would be allowed to have any participation except in the capacity of a facilitator. These co-operatives would add value to minor forest produce, particularly lac and tamarind, found locally and sold directly to producers of the finished products.

Earnings would be shared between the co-operative and members constituting them. Ten per cent of the net profits would be retained by the society as reserves to meet unforeseen expenses. These societies would also retain an additional 2 per cent to cover administrative costs. The balance left would be distributed equally among the members.

The Maki Dai society at Maranghada will begin by collecting lac from Khunti forests. A portion of the lac collected would be send directly to lac-based factories, for which talks have already been concluded with a manufacturer at Murhu in Ranchi district.

The manufacturer has already agreed to pay Rs 120 to Rs 15 more per kilo than the ruling market prices of all lac supplied to it by the society. Arrangements are also being made to install a crusher machine to crush dried lac and sell it at higher prices directly in the open markets, Bosumallik added.

The JJBA has taken a cue from a draft bill framed by Union tribal welfare ministry which proposes that all villages in reserved forests which have been in existence prior to 1980, would be granted land rights along with the right to use minor forest produce.

The draft bill says every resident in all such forest settlements would be granted ?pattas? ensuring them rights over two-and-half acres of land.

The JJBA has demanded that the cut off date be extended from 1980 to 1993 to ensure justice to thousands of people who have over the years made forest their home.

Andhra Pradesh has been successful in roping in tribals to protect forests and now Jharkhand is working on the same lines.

Rudra Biswas

He pointed out that they were trying to emulate the Andhra success story to help tribals to protect their forests and at the same time increase their sources of incomes.