🌿 Community Conserves Forest Roots & Tubers in Raanijhari Village, Nayagarh
Welcome back to another article where I shared how Ranijhari Villagers in Nayagarh district conserves forest roots and community forest resource. Being a villager they are dedicated to conserve their community forest. Read well to know more and anything found wrong or queries then feel free to contact us.
🌱 A Community Effort for Nature
The people of Raanijhari village, under Duda Panchayat, Dasapalla Block, Nayagarh District, have taken a big step to protect their forest and natural roots. Members of the Community Forest Rights and Management Committee (CFRMC) joined hands to bring back the lost forest tubers (Kanda) in their area — especially in the Jeera Muduli and Barabati Karna forest zones.
🍠 Saving Vanishing Forest Tubers
Many natural food roots such as Masia, Kadaba, Lairi (Water Yam), Cheranga, and Kasha (Wild Yam) were slowly disappearing from the forest. These wild tubers are important for both local people and forest animals like wild boars, rats, and deer.
On 8th October 2025, the Gram Sabha of Raanijhari village decided to take strong action. All villagers — men, women, and youth — came together with tools like spades, hoes, and sickles. They collected the remaining roots from the deep forest and replanted more than 550 tubers in new places where they can grow safely.
🌳 Working Together for Forest Life
Along with the tubers, they also planted small Aragha trees and other local species. The activity took place in nearby forest areas like Mai Pahad, Tal Paju, Jeera Muduli, Marapada, Danda Saru, and Lapadi. The people noticed that these areas had lost many kinds of forest yams and roots in recent years.
Now villagers walk nearly 2 km to collect forest tubers — but they hope this will change soon with the new plantation.
🐗 Helping People and Wildlife
This activity is not only about planting roots. It will also bring back food for wild animals and keep the forest ecosystem healthy. The tubers will help animals like wild boar, deer, and forest rats survive naturally. It’s a simple but powerful way to save biodiversity and keep traditional forest food alive.
🤝 Village Pledge for Protection
At the end of the day, all villagers took a pledge to protect these planted tubers and look after the forest. They promised to care for nature and pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation.
The Raanijhari villagers have shown how local communities can make a big difference in forest conservation and sustainable living. 🌿
Source from Rabi Narayan Parida, NIRMAN
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