This year, an inspiring change is unfolding in Panna's Jhalarkhamariya village. Thanks to community-led efforts and support from Dhaatri's Dare to Trust programme, five Gond Adivasi families are staying back in their village to nurture their land. This marks a significant departure from previous years when seasonal migration was the norm.

A newly installed irrigation pipeline connecting a community-dug water tank to their fields is making this possible. Using motorised pumps and a 400-metre pipeline, nearly 10 acres of land is now being irrigated, transforming the once rocky, unproductive terrain into fertile agricultural fields.

After successfully harvesting their first crop in September, several Adivasi families who were relocated from Jhalar and Khamariya villages within the Panna Tiger Reserve have now sown wheat, mustard, and legumes across 25 acres in their new home. Previously, they would leave their village during this time of the year to find work as manual labourers elsewhere. Now, they are choosing to stay and cultivate their land.

This shift was made possible through a land and water restoration initiative that began earlier this year. We supported the community in removing rocks, clearing overgrowth, and developing the land they received as part of their relocation package. Without proper land titles or development support, these rocky, infertile lands had remained fallow for years.

First harvest of the year from one of the fields

While this pilot project has sparked positive change, much work remains. Many relocated villages in the region still await land titles and proper rehabilitation. We believe supporting such community-led initiatives with public resources and dedicated funds, along with linking them to social security schemes like MGNREGA, can unlock their full potential. With continued support, these families can sow the seeds for a truly sustainable future.

Read more about our initiative in Jhalarkhamariya here.