Introduction
As 2024 witnesses an escalation in environmental activism across India, a significant movement
has emerged in the Gulf of Mannar and the Sundarbans. Women from indigenous and local
communities in these regions are demanding their right to forest resources, a conflict that pits
conservation efforts against traditional livelihoods. These women are pushing back against
stringent restrictions imposed on accessing resources in protected areas, asserting their role as
custodians of the environment.
Women are powerful, resilient, and inspiring individuals who have made significant contributions to our society. They are leaders, innovators, and change-makers, breaking down barriers and paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive world.
2024: A Year of Heightened Demands
The year 2024 has seen renewed vigor in the fight for forest rights, particularly due to escalating
climate change challenges and economic pressures. In February 2024, protests erupted in the
Gulf of Mannar as women from local fishing communities demanded equitable access to marine
and forest resources. Similarly, in the Sundarbans, where the delicate mangrove ecosystem is
tightly regulated, women have taken center stage in protests, demanding recognition of their
rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006. In March 2024, a coalition of women’s groups across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), requesting urgent amendments to conservation
laws that currently criminalize their traditional livelihoods. This action was spurred by recent
changes in wildlife policies, which have increased penalties for those found accessing forest
resources. In my opinion, the ongoing struggle of women in the Gulf of Mannar and Sundarbans for their forest rights exposes a fundamental flaw in many conservation policies: the exclusion of the very people who have lived in harmony with these ecosystems for centuries. While
environmental protection is crucial, a top-down approach that sidelines indigenous communities, especially women, is both unjust and counterproductive. These women are not mere beneficiaries of the forest—they are its caretakers, with generations of knowledge on how to
sustainably manage resources. Conservation efforts that impose blanket restrictions without considering local livelihoods often exacerbate poverty and alienate communities. Instead of criminalizing their traditional practices, policymakers should collaborate with these women to incorporate their indigenous knowledge into conservation strategies. This participatory approach could not only protect biodiversity but also uplift local economies and empower women, who are essential to both the social and environmental fabric of these region. As such, the focus should shift from restricting access to holding large corporations and destructive
industries accountable for their environmental impact.
Ultimately, sustainable development must find a balance between conservation and human
rights. Ignoring the voices of those who have lived in these regions for generations—particularly
women—only deepens social inequalities and undermines the very goal of preserving these
critical environments. Empowering local communities as partners in conservation is not just
fair—it’s the only viable long-term solution for environmental justice.
Gulf of Mannar as women
Women as Guardians of the Ecosystem
These women argue that far from being threats to the environment, they are its protectors.Drawing on traditional ecological knowledge, women in the Gulf of Mannar and Sundarban have long maintained sustainable practices. The challenge, they argue, is not simply one of survival
but of ensuring that conservation policies reflect a balance between ecological preservation and human rights.
A notable event took place in June 2024 when women from the Gulf of Mannar organized a community forum to demonstrate their sustainable fishing methods and traditional practices that contribute to conserving the local ecosystem. This event attracted the attention of environmental
groups and policymakers, highlighting the need for a more inclusive approach to conservation.
The Road Ahead: Policy and Advocacy
The future of these movements hinges on government policy changes and increased advocacy.
As of October 2024, legal battles are ongoing in both the Gulf of Mannar and the Sundarban, with local women’s groups filing petitions to gain recognition of their traditional forest rights.
Human rights organizations have also joined forces with these communities, stressing the need
for gender-sensitive environmental policies.
The rising voices of these women point to a broader trend in India, where grassroots
movements are increasingly challenging top-down conservation models. Their demand for
forest rights is not just about access to resources, but about reclaiming their role as key
stakeholders in environmental governance.
Conclusion
The ongoing protests and legal battles in the Gulf of Mannar and Sundarban underscore a
critical intersection of environmental conservation and human rights. As 2024 unfolds, the
demand for forest rights by women in these regions is set to be a defining issue in India’s
broader struggle for environmental justice. The voices of these women remind us that
sustainable conservation must include those who live in and depend on these ecosystems.
