Our engagements with the rights and development of tribal families / communities started from 1980-81, from the very inception of ARCH.

Resettlement & Rehabilitation of Tribal Oustees of Narmada Dam: It started with our involvement with the oustees (as per NWDT Award) - Project Affected People (PAPs) of the Sardar Sarovar Dam project being built on the river Narmada. Sustained efforts by the oustees and ARCH resulted in a new rehabilitation policy declared by Gujarat Government in 1987, providing minimum 5 acres of irrigated/ irrigable land of choice for all project affected families. Read more

Engagement with Tribals and Forests: This involvement led us to the realization that lack of rights over land and other natural resources of their area is the most crucial issue of these marginalized communities. It hampers their economic development and keeps them trapped in poverty. In addition, it is also the most important human rights issue of their life. It criminalizes their whole life as they are treated as ‘illegal encroachers’ whenever they cultivate a piece of land or collect timber or other resources from the forest for livelihood, resulting in full assault by the state to evict them from their lands and houses. Read more

The Forest Rights Act 2006 and Its Implementation: ARCH and the tribal families played an active role in the national campaign for a legislation from 2003. The nation-wide struggle and campaign resulted in a historic legislation – Forest Rights Act, 2006 that recognizes the rights of the Scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers on Individual Forestland (IFR) and Community Forest Resources (CFRR). From 2008, ARCH has been working for proper implementation of FRA in all tribal districts of Gujarat in general and in Dediapada tehsil of Narmada district in particular. Read more

Innovative Use of GIS Technology: ARCH has evolved an innovative use of Innovative Use of GPS survey and historical Satellite imageries for approval of thousands of IFR claims. The claimants have to clearly establish that they have been indeed cultivating the lands from before December 2005, as legally required under FRA. The use of these technology has led to approval of more than 90% claims in Narmada district of Gujarat. Read more

Post-Rights Development Activities:

• Engagement with Tribal Farmers for their land Development: Though the interventions for land development and irrigation facilities are being done by the tribal families themselves with their own hard-earned money, ARCH is playing a role of facilitator, whenever these families need any help. ARCH also monitor and keep record of such interventions and of transformation these have brought in their lives, livelihoods, the landscapes and the environment around them. Read more
• Involvement with Village Gram Sabhas for CFR Management: ARCH is also working with village Gram Sabhas to build up their capacity for management of their community forests for sustainable use with help from FNF, Friends of ARCH and Azim Premji Foundation (APF). Read more
• WADI Project: With support of NABARD from 2018, 800 farmers have developed Wadis (Mango orchards) in their lands. The first phase 500 farmers have already started reaping the fruits. ARCH’s main role is to monitor and arrange for expert guidance and advice for developing these Wadis. Read more
• Watershed Development Initiatives: NABARD also sanctioned a Watershed Development Project for 1000 hectares in 2 villages – Sagai and Mohbi in 2022, in which the village level Management Committee managed all the activities to be carried out, including construction of pukka Check Dams on their own, without employing or outsourcing to any contractors, but of course with technical assistance from expert engineers. With the experience, expertise and confidence of the Gram Sabhas and ARCH, we asked APF in 2023, who agreed to assist for Watershed Development work in three villages on a pilot basis. Read more

Resettlement & Rehabilitation of Tribal Oustees of Narmada Dam