Gariaband: After getting the Forest Charter letter, I have started being called a farmer- Kumarasay Kamar: Farming became the main occupation in addition to the traditional business

Gariaband 27 July 2020. Kumar Sai Kamar, 48, of village Keshodar under Gariaband district, is happy that now he too is being called a farmer. This young family, belonging to the Kamar tribe, was recognized by their traditional occupations such as going to the jungle, bringing kandamul, hunting and manufacturing bamboo articles. But ever since he got the Forest Charter, he has also been identified as a farmer. Kumar says that his grandfather had been farming on about two acres of land. He got the lease under the Forest Rights Act. For the past 30 years, his grandfather and father had been doing farming with fear. He died in the meantime. But as soon as my mother Phulbai and I received the Forest Charter letter, since then, with full confidence and preparation, we have been cultivating paddy every year. Last year, around 30 quintals of paddy were sold at the support price. In the name of Maa Phulbai also sold about 50 quintals of paddy in 5 acres of land. In this way, we are cultivating a total of 7 acres of farmland. Our 6-member family is now financially capable. He has also bought a motorcycle by building a house from the paddy that he gets from farming. Kumar does not tire of thanking Sai and his mother Sarkar.
Similarly, Bhagwan Das Manikpuri, the beneficiary of the village, said that he is also cultivating the land received from the Forest Charter from the government in 1 acre of 70 acres. He told that earlier there was a fear of grazing, as well as farming for fear of not owning land. Today the situation has changed. Now we are doing farming with full authority. Jaising Kamar of the village also told that now he has no problem in taking paddy, manure and seeds. His loan book has also been found. The forest rights letter has been provided to 38 families of 38.75 hectare land to 40 families of Keshodar, a scheduled tribe of Gariaband development block. Now the Kamar tribes here have started being called farmers.