Knowledge Resource

Adivasi women from mining-affected forests say “no” to coal

Without their permission, coal mines have sprung up all around Adivasi or Indigenous communities in Chhattisgarh state of India since the early 1990s, hurting their way of life, connection to their forests, and health. Local human rights advocate Savita Rath, a member of the GAGGA network, works closely with women in mining-affected villages to build their capacity, safeguard their natural resources, interact with the media, and refuse to allow mining on their property. Savita and local Adivasi women have led peaceful annual rallies encompassing hundreds of villages in Raigarh since 2008 to defend their lands from the negative effects of irresponsible mining on the area's women.