The Mendha-Lekha Village Model of Sustainable Development Involving Sharing of Common Resource for Rural Transformation – A Case Study of The Experiences of a Tribal Village in India

Mendha (Lekha) is a group of three villages falling under the administration of a single Gram Sabha (village assembly), situated in the predominantly tribal district of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. Mendha-Lekha is located 30 km from the district headquarters and is spread over two small and closely situated tolas (hamlets). The total area of the village is estimated at 1900 hectares. Nearly 80 per cent of this area is forested There are approximately 400 people in the village, largely without any class and caste hierarchies. The entire population is composed of the Gond tribe, which has ruled and inhabited the surrounding forests since time immemorial. The livelihood of the villagers is heavily dependent on subsistence farming and on the forests, which provide a range of food, fuel, timber and fodder. The average landholding is five acres. The major source of income is from the collection of non-timber forest produce (NTFP) and daily wages from labour work with government and private agencies. About two decades ago, the village was facing problems of unemployment, drunkenness, corruption by government officials and exploitation by traders and moneylenders. Approximately 80 per cent is under forest cover, a figure that is the highest in the state and is among the highest in India.