In a world where communities often await government intervention to improve their lives, Baripada, a small village in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, stands as a shining example of atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and collective will. Led by Chaitram Pawar, a local hero and Padma Shri awardee, the 785 residents of this tribal village have transformed their barren landscape into a model of sustainable development, proving that human determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.
A Village on the Brink
Baripada, home to 108 Vanvasi families, is nestled on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, approximately 400 kilometres from Mumbai. Surrounded by a 445-hectare forest rich with teak, mahua, neem, and other species, the village once thrived on its natural resources. Wildlife, including panthers, Indian wolves, black-naped hares, foxes, and monitor lizards, roamed the area.
However, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, rampant deforestation had turned the lush hill near Baripada into a barren sand pile. Firewood, food, and water became scarce. One-third of the village’s 35 wells had dried up, forcing residents to fetch water from 3 kilometres away. With limited livelihood options, some women resorted to producing and selling country-made liquor, leading to social and economic issues, including alcohol addiction and financial strain.
A Leader’s Vision
Chaitram Pawar, a commerce postgraduate from Baripada, could have pursued a career elsewhere, including an offer from the Indian Air Force. Instead, he chose to stay and uplift his village. Inspired by the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Pawar mobilised the community to take charge of their destiny. “We cannot depend on the government for everything,” Pawar famously said. “The best option is to start ourselves and create a situation where the government runs after us.”
In 1993, Pawar organised a village meeting, leading to the formation of an informal Forest Protection Committee (FPC) on May 23. To ensure inclusivity, the committee rotated representatives from every family, giving all 108 households a stake in the process. Pawar was elected chairman, and the FPC set strict rules: no one, from the village or outside, could enter the forest with bullock carts to extract resources. Two elderly watchmen, paid Rs 100 monthly through community contributions of Rs 3 or 7 kilograms of grain per family, were appointed to monitor the 450-hectare forest. Violators faced penalties, while those protecting the forest were rewarded.
Reviving the Forest
With support from Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and the Forest Department’s Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme, introduced in Baripada in 1998, the villagers planted species like teak, korfad, and ghaypaat. Illicit resource extraction stopped entirely. By October 2004, the community launched a plant diversity register, mapping vegetation across 14 forest sites using 100-square-meter quadrants. Their efforts restored dense forest cover by 1998, ensuring a steady supply of dry wood, fruits, and minor forest produce. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and international students now visit Baripada to study its biodiversity conservation model.
Solving Water Scarcity
Water scarcity, a critical issue in the early 1990s, was addressed through innovative measures. The villagers, through voluntary labour (shramdan), constructed 480 small check dams to store water and curb soil erosion. They also dug a 5-kilometre-long, 1-meter-deep canal to recharge groundwater. These efforts transformed Baripada from a water-scarce village into a supplier of water to five neighbouring villages.
Agricultural and Economic Revival
Baripada’s farming relies on indigenous seeds and cow-based agriculture, rejecting hybrid or genetically modified crops. The model truly follows the Panch Parivartan suggested by the RSS. This approach has yielded impressive results, challenging modern agricultural trends.
With support from the Janaseva Foundation, another NGO, the village cultivated rice, wheat, potatoes, vegetables, and cash crops. In 2003, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) recognised Baripada’s efforts, awarding it the “Local Knowledge and Innovation of the Rural Poor” prize in Bangkok. The Indian government also granted Rs 1,00,000, which funded a jaggery-making unit employing 25 young men.
Five self-help groups (SHGs) were formed, with some focusing on rice marketing, boosting financial empowerment. Alcohol production, once a source of income for some families, was eradicated through a de-addiction drive, with former liquor producers transitioning to fishing. Men now avoid returning home drunk, reflecting a cultural shift.
Community-Driven Development
The Baripada Gram Vikas Samitee (BGVS), led by Pawar, spearheaded community initiatives like building improvised toilets, creating kitchen gardens with recycled water, and reopening the village primary school. Night schools were established for adult literacy, with fines of Rs 1 per day for absent students and Rs 51 per day for absent teachers. Collective festivals and group marriages saved costs, while sports competitions spread the message of self-development to 20 nearby villages. A forest nursery and joint watershed projects further enhanced regional sustainability.
Confronting Challenges
The villagers’ unity was tested when a forest guard hired outsiders to illegally collect wood. Empowered by their collective spirit, residents confronted the guard, leading to his transfer. Gajanan Pathak, formerly with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, noted, “The villagers’ ability to challenge authority showed their strength and commitment to protecting their forest.”
Dr. Anand Pathak and Ravi Sahare, from a nearby hospital run by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, dedicated their spare time to Baripada’s development, reinforcing the community’s efforts.
A Model for the World
Baripada’s transformation has earned global recognition. Chaitram Pawar, a member of the Konkani tribe, has received 12 awards, including the Shetinishtha Shetkari Puraskar from the Maharashtra government, the Sant Tukaram Forest Scheme’s first prize, and a second prize from IFAD. In 2019, the Sant Eshwer Foundation honoured him with the Vishisht Sewa Samman for rural development. In April 2025, Pawar was conferred the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for his contributions.
Pawar remains humble, crediting the villagers’ collective will. He now aims to train 200 youths as future conservation leaders. The village’s success, driven by forest, water, and soil conservation, has made it self-sufficient in fuelwood and water, setting a benchmark for sustainable development.
A Legacy of Self-Reliance
Baripada’s journey from scarcity to surplus demonstrates the power of community action. By protecting 450 hectares of forest, building over 700 check dams (including 480 in Baripada), and adopting sustainable practices, the village has not only revived its natural resources but also inspired neighbouring communities. The UNDP’s Eco-Friendly Scheme, launched in response to Baripada’s work, underscores its global impact.
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