In A Forest Of Gods

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In this beautiful short film by The Source project, we learn about the profound importance that forests have on India’s indigenous people, the Adivasi (first people).

Dokri shares the meaning the forests have to her Kondh community. The Kondh tribe is from Niyamgiri in the state of Odisha in eastern India, an area of densely forested hills, deep gorges, and cascading streams.

The forests mean everything to Dokri and her Kondh community. Everything they need to live comes from the forests. The forest gives them green leaves, mushrooms, plants, and foods to harvest so they can eat. It offers wood to provide shelter.

The Kondh community are gatekeepers to these remote, resource-rich fragile ecosystems. Their lands and lives are under threat from those seeking to exploit these lands.

https://youtu.be/6qBdGeeYvmQ

Globally, around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their survival. Yet, every year 130,000 square kilometers of forest, face destruction.

The Lives Of Others

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In this short film, “The Lives of Others”, we learn about farmers in India who are returning to sustainable and cooperative forms of agriculture. This sustainable form of agriculture provides many benefits, including food, steady income, and ecological security.

The farmers are villagers who work in a cooperative system. As a cooperative, when someone needs help, they are welcome to join the collective and help plant the seed and saplings. They also share financially.

Farmers traditionally use a patch of land with many crops. They have moved away from chemical fertilizers. They learned the chemicals killed the soil and worms and insects. By returning to organic forms of fertilizers and pest control, farmers dramatically cut input costs and increase profits. Organic fertilizers, made with organic manure and prepared with cow dung, bring the soil alive and produce higher yields.

https://youtu.be/xlRJcbEe_vo

ActionAid India supports several thousand farmers and their collectives practicing cooperative and sustainable forms of agriculture.