Gram Swaraj

Gram Swaraj was born in the year 1995 to address some core issues of ecological restoration, self
governance and human growth. Gram Swaraj’s socio-economic and socio-ecological interventions are
presently concentrated in the geographical area of Mayurbhanj district of Odishsa. Gram Swaraj works
predominantly in the forested areas of Mayurbhanj district, particularly in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve
(http://www.similipal.org/) dominated by a diverse indigenous population.
(http://oddistricts.nic.in/district_home.php?did=myj).

Since its inception, Gram Swaraj has engaged with forest fringe communities and their conservation
institutions for regeneration, conservation and the management of biodiversity. Gram Swaraj facilitates
the process of recognition of rights over community forest resources under Forest Right Act (FRA), and is
engaged with the tribal cultural institutions towards the conservation of wildlife, especially seeking their
support to minimize ritual hunting. To enrich agro biodiversity, traditional seeds are conserved,
exchanged and propagated by the farmers. Gram Swaraj engages with the Biodiversity Management
Committees (BMCs) for institutional activation and supports them for the preparation of Peoples
Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). Gram Swaraj works intensively with NTFP collectors to increase their
income from NTFPs. A common Facility Centre has been established to support artisans in product
development, and the production and marketing of bamboo, sal leaf and sabai grass products.

To ensure food security Gram Swaraj promotes the diversity of crops through an integrated agriculture
programme. In addition, work is done to bring back uncultivated foods (forest foods) into the discourse of food security. Revival of millets is a major activitity in collaboration with the Government of Odisha,
under the Odisha Millet Mission. Gram Swaraj promotes the activities for revitalisation of Local Health
Traditions to ensure health security in remote villages.

The organisation was registered in 1995, under the Indian Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, and
under Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act of India in 2007, and u/s 12AA of Income Tax Act 1961 of
India.