Latest news with #Karbi
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Karbis of Assam script success with community-led enterprise
By Durba Ghosh Karbis of Assam script success with community-led enterprise Kohora, Indigenous Karbis, particularly women, in Assam's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape have long cultivated a bounty of organic produce, from ghost chillies and millets to handwoven textiles, but rarely got their due. Now, a community business initiative called 'Pirbi' is helping them earn fair value while safeguarding nature. 'Pirbi', which means biodiversity in the Karbi language, connects farmers and artisans directly to markets by following sustainable and ethical trade practices. "Lack of proper market linkages and dominance of middlemen prevented people from getting the deserved value of the products. Much of our produce would go to waste, which led to people losing interest in scaling up production," Pirbi general secretary Bapuram Ingti told PTI. Kaziranga's villages brim with homegrown treasures ginger, turmeric, 'bhoot jolokia' , bay leaves, varieties of local rice, pepper, sesame, honey, brooms, tea and vibrant textiles. But without proper linkages, producers earned little. "That is when biodiversity group 'Aaranyak' stepped in and proposed a community business model," Pirbi treasurer Swapan Nath said. Registered in 2019, Pirbi is managed by a committee drawn from local communities. It ensures that indigenous products reach buyers who pay fairly, offering both financial and social security. "This strengthens livelihoods and, in turn, the ecosystem," Nath added. The initiative is focused on Karbi Anglong Hills and the Kaziranga floodplains, which are rich in culture and biodiversity. Pirbi shares 20 per cent of its profits with growers and artisans, while committing another 20 per cent to biodiversity conservation and community development. The Karbis have traditionally lived in harmony with nature, depending on 'jhum' , 'hembiri' or homestead agroforestry and collection of non-timber forest products . "In an attempt to rehabilitate 'jhum' farmers, different agencies introduced plantation cropping in the area, leading to mono-cropping and biodiversity loss, while the absence of sustainable harvesting of NTFP, shortening of the 'jhum' cycle and lack of market access created pressure on the ecosystem," said Firoz Ahmed, senior scientist at Aaranyak. "This led to ecological damages, resulting in a negative impact on the sustenance of the livelihoods, food and economic security of the indigenous Karbis," he said. To address this, community-based resource management began in four villages in 2018 and now spans 15 villages. "Conservation projects often fail because products remain unsold. A community business model like Pirbi makes livelihoods viable while promoting coexistence with nature," Ahmed explained. After testing the concept in 2019, Pirbi launched its first outlet, 'Pirbi Karbi Ethnic Hat', in 2023. Villagers are trained to add value to their produce and develop new enterprises. "Earlier, I used to grow only vegetables in my backyard. Now the women of our village have organised themselves into self-help groups and have taken up mushroom cultivation. We are getting good returns," said Moina Ingtipi. Weaver Rupali Ingtipi, who learnt the tricks of the loom from her mother, said earlier she produced textiles only to meet the needs of her family and relatives. "Now the demand for Karbi fabrics is so high, we have had to organise ourselves into groups to meet orders," she said. Nath said Pirbi is committed to promoting entrepreneurship among women and youth, safeguarding the cultural identities of the communities, equal wages to both women and men, and zero tolerance to child labour. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
17 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Karbis of Assam script success with community-led enterprise
Agency: Kohora, Aug 19 (PTI) Indigenous Karbis, particularly women, in Assam's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKL) have long cultivated a bounty of organic produce, from ghost chillies and millets to handwoven textiles, but rarely got their due. Now, a community business initiative called 'Pirbi' is helping them earn fair value while safeguarding nature. 'Pirbi', which means biodiversity in the Karbi language, connects farmers and artisans directly to markets by following sustainable and ethical trade practices. 'Lack of proper market linkages and dominance of middlemen prevented people from getting the deserved value of the products. Much of our produce would go to waste, which led to people losing interest in scaling up production," Pirbi general secretary Bapuram Ingti told PTI. Kaziranga's villages brim with homegrown treasures — ginger, turmeric, 'bhoot jolokia' (ghost chillies), bay leaves, varieties of local rice, pepper, sesame, honey, brooms, tea and vibrant textiles. But without proper linkages, producers earned little. 'That is when biodiversity group 'Aaranyak' stepped in and proposed a community business model," Pirbi treasurer Swapan Nath said. Registered in 2019, Pirbi is managed by a committee drawn from local communities. It ensures that indigenous products reach buyers who pay fairly, offering both financial and social security. 'This strengthens livelihoods and, in turn, the ecosystem," Nath added. The initiative is focused on Karbi Anglong Hills and the Kaziranga floodplains, which are rich in culture and biodiversity. Pirbi shares 20 per cent of its profits with growers and artisans, while committing another 20 per cent to biodiversity conservation and community development. The Karbis have traditionally lived in harmony with nature, depending on 'jhum' (shifting cultivation), 'hembiri' or homestead agroforestry and collection of non-timber forest products (NTFP). 'In an attempt to rehabilitate 'jhum' farmers, different agencies introduced plantation cropping in the area, leading to mono-cropping and biodiversity loss, while the absence of sustainable harvesting of NTFP, shortening of the 'jhum' cycle and lack of market access created pressure on the ecosystem," said Firoz Ahmed, senior scientist at Aaranyak. 'This led to ecological damages, resulting in a negative impact on the sustenance of the livelihoods, food and economic security of the indigenous Karbis," he said. To address this, community-based resource management began in four villages in 2018 and now spans 15 villages. 'Conservation projects often fail because products remain unsold. A community business model like Pirbi makes livelihoods viable while promoting coexistence with nature," Ahmed explained. After testing the concept in 2019, Pirbi launched its first outlet, 'Pirbi Karbi Ethnic Hat', in 2023. Villagers are trained to add value to their produce and develop new enterprises. 'Earlier, I used to grow only vegetables in my backyard. Now the women of our village have organised themselves into self-help groups and have taken up mushroom cultivation. We are getting good returns," said Moina Ingtipi. Weaver Rupali Ingtipi, who learnt the tricks of the loom from her mother, said earlier she produced textiles only to meet the needs of her family and relatives. 'Now the demand for Karbi fabrics is so high, we have had to organise ourselves into groups to meet orders," she said. Nath said Pirbi is committed to promoting entrepreneurship among women and youth, safeguarding the cultural identities of the communities, equal wages to both women and men, and zero tolerance to child labour. PTI DG SOM PTI) view comments First Published: August 19, 2025, 10:15 IST News agency-feeds Karbis of Assam script success with community-led enterprise Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Time of India
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ethnic groups take out rally, renew demand for bifurcation of Dima Hasao district
1 2 3 4 5 6 Silchar: Tensions have resurfaced in Assam's hill district of Dima Hasao after hundreds of protesters from non-Dimasa tribal communities took out a massive rally in Haflong on Wednesday, renewing their longstanding demand for the bifurcation of the district. R epresentatives of ethnic groups including the Hmar, Zeme Naga, Karbi, Beite, Bhaipe, Rangkhal, Kuki, Khasi, and Jaintia marched through the streets of the district headquarters, holding placards and chanting slogans in support of a separate district for non-Dimasa communities. The rally concluded with a gathering outside the office of the deputy commissioner, where community leaders addressed the crowd. Organised by the Indigenous People's Forum (IPF) along with its sister bodies — the Indigenous Students' Forum (ISF) and the Indigenous Women's Forum (IWF) — the protesters submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, with demands addressed to Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. At the heart of their demand is the renaming of the district from North Cachar Hills to Dima Hasao in 2010, which they claim is exclusionary and fails to reflect the region's demographic diversity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "We have no objection to a separate district for the Dimasas. Let the Dimasa-majority Maibang sub-division be called Dima Hasao. But we want the Haflong sub-division, which comprises other indigenous tribes, to retain the original name — North Cachar Hills," said an IPF spokesperson. He added that non-Dimasa communities constitute nearly 57% of the district's population and should not be identified under a nomenclature that translates to "land of the Dimasa". The demand, which has simmered since the 2010 renaming decision, has seen recurring agitations over the past decade, including bandhs, rail blockades, and rallies. "We will continue our agitation until the district is bifurcated," the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the Dimasa community — the single largest ethnic group in the region — remains firmly opposed to any move toward division. Dimasa leaders argue that bifurcation would fragment the region and hinder its development. Observers warn that unless the demand for administrative bifurcation is addressed, the district — once scarred by insurgency and ethnic unrest — may again face renewed tensions.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong slams Himanta, Assam govt over tribal evictions, corporate bias
Guwahati: Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora criticised chief minister and his govt, accusing them of unjust shooting and dispossession of indigenous and tribal communities through eviction drives and favouring corporate interests. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bora's sharp remarks come just months ahead of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections and amid ongoing mass evictions across several districts of Assam. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Bora alleged that the BJP, which came to power on the promise of 'Jati-Mati-Bheti' (community, home and hearth), has instead displaced tribal communities and handed over land to corporate tycoons under the guise of clearing encroachments. "Their slogan has shifted from Jati-Mati-Bheti to the interests of Adani, Ambani, and Ramdev," he said. He recalled the 2017 Amchang eviction under former CM Sarbananda Sonowal, which left over 1,000 Mising, Bodo, and Karbi families homeless, and alleged police firing injured two women -- Bina Doley and Malati Das -- during a separate eviction drive in city's Panjabari area. "During the protest against AIIMS at Raha in 2017, Mintu Deori, a youth from Tiwa community, lost his life during a gun fire. Similarly, during the CAA protest, five men died," Bora added. Further, he alleged that thousands of bighas of land have been lost, and indigenous tribes have been displaced as a result of development projects like the satellite township in Palashbari, thermal power in Dhubri and Kokrajhar, solar power plants in Karbi Anglong and Nagaon, and more. "A 55-MW hydropower project is planned at Kulsi river in Ukiam on the Assam-Meghalaya border. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A 62-metre dam threatens 26 villages near Chandubi lake, inhabited by Rabha, Bodo, Garo, and Khasi people in south Kamrup, which would damage about thousands of lands comprising about 400 villages," he added. He also accused the govt of cutting funds meant for SC, ST, and OBC welfare — citing reductions of up to 10-20% — and delaying ST status for ethnic groups awaiting recognition since 2016. "Similarly numerous autonomous councils like the Raha, Mising, Sonowal Kachari and more have faced repeated fund cuts, or delays in disbursements, which were meant for their development," he further added.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tension on disputed Assam-Meghalaya border; mob ransacks structures, uproots saplings
Shillong, A mob on Wednesday uprooted saplings and dismantled wooden structures erected to protect the plants, leading to tension in a village on disputed Assam-Meghalaya border, officials said. Tension on disputed Assam-Meghalaya border; mob ransacks structures, uproots saplings The plantation drive in Lapangap village was conducted by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council of Assam. Police personnel were deployed in the village. A hill in Lapangap, on which the incident happened, is claimed by residents of both Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district and Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Around 400 people of Lapangap and other villages, backed by members of several social organisations of Meghalaya, went to the plantation area, uprooted the saplings and burnt the wooden structure around 11 am, claiming that Assam was trying to encroach into their state by carrying out the plantation. West Jaintia Hills district Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh said adequate police forces have been deployed and the situation is now under control. "Plantation activities were carried out by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council without prior notice to the district administrations," Singh told PTI. He said the information regarding the plantation first reached the district administration a week ago and "we have restrained our people from going to the site as the peace meeting was supposed to be held today." The scheduled peace meeting at Tahpat village did not take place as nobody turned up, the official said. Adequate police forces were deployed at the site along with three border magistrates for effective coordination with the Assam government. Singh said that the police personnel will be stationed at the site to check untoward incidents. Police and civic officers from Karbi Anglong also visited the spot along with Meghalaya's border magistrates and tension was defused, he said. The DC said that a peace meeting will be held on Thursday to find an amicable solution. He said, "Meetings have been held at the DC and SP level, and now we want the peace meeting to happen at the village level so that both headmen and their councils can sit together and come to a solution so that such conflicts can be avoided in future and status quo be maintained." In previous meetings, it was decided that the status quo should be maintained till both Assam and Meghalaya governments come to a solution. According to the DC, Lapangap village is part of Meghalaya except for a hill on which the plantation took place which villagers from either side claimed as their own. A leader of the influential Khasi Students' Union said it extended full support to Lapangap's residents alleging that Karbi Anglong people encroached into the area. "So, we dismantled all structures and uprooted the saplings. Assam Police fired tear gas shells but we will continue to defend our land," he said. KSU general secretary Neilkee Mukhim alleged that the Karbi people residing near Lapangap village had made the plantation defying an agreement made between the two sides. Assam and Meghalaya have had longstanding disputes in 12 areas along their 884.9-km-long inter-state border. In March 2022, the two states signed an agreement in New Delhi, in the presence of the Union Home Minister, to resolve issues in six areas during the first phase. Under the first-phase settlement covering 36.79 sq km of disputed land, Assam received 18.46 sq km, while Meghalaya got 18.33 sq km. The remaining six areas, where the differences are more complex, are now being addressed in the second phase. Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
