Prafulla Kumar

Work area : Nayagarh district, Odisha

Prafulla started his community work with an organization called Sancharr in 1995. His quest for a more meaningful relationship with people led him to grassroots involvement through the formation of the Adim Adivasi Mukti Manch (AAMM). Thus he started working with the Adivasi population in Nayagarh focusing on community forest rights and conservation; livelihood alternatives through non-timber forest produce (NTFP like tendu patta, mahua) and through cooperative formation and the implementation of government schemes.

The sangathan has helped curb the harassment of villagers in wildlife sanctuaries and enabled cultivation and NTFP collection which is integral to adivasi socio-cultural life and their symbiotic relationship with forests. This paved the way for the implementation of much-needed government schemes for social security in the local communities. The sangathan has been engaged in working for the recognition of individual and community rights over traditional forest land, and livelihood generation through co-operative systems to protect people from middlemen exploitation.

Prafulla’s dedicated efforts on the ground have significantly improved the capacity and processes for expediting the acquisition of titles for community forest rights (CFR) and community forest resource rights (CFRR). As a skilful trainer, he has organised several SSC shivirs in Odisha with young volunteers.

His interest in sustainable agriculture practices and support from the local women led to the establishment of organic farming cooperatives. The cooperative was formed to market a variety of pulses and jams, providing vital economic stability to local families. Additionally, the organization has identified traditional herbal practitioners, known as gaon-baidyas, who collect and preserve valuable knowledge of medicinal herbs and other forest resources. This not only preserves traditional wisdom but also strengthens the community’s conservation efforts.