The article we recommend shares the story of Uma Bai Netam, a woman from the Gond tribe in India. It helps us understand how women from traditional communities are particularly affected by commercial tree monocultures – which are allegedly used to offset the destruction of forest areas caused by extractive or infrastructure projects. Uma and other Indian women have won some partial victories, such as the legal right to the land where they have lived and worked for decades. But due to government policies aimed at establishing tree plantations, this win comes with the condition that they cede a significant part of that area. The article highlights the perverse contradictions of this policy, which is yet another example of green capitalism. And while women are most affected by this predatory model – since they are the main users of forests and the keepers and promoters of traditional knowledge – they are also the ones who sow the seeds of resistance to this policy. In their defense of nature and culture, they are challenging social, economic and institutional obstacles. They are mobilizing against a policy that has led to the usurpation of community lands, the deforestation of native forests, and the community's loss of access to forest areas. We invite you to learn more about this process. Enjoy the read!
And, it is worth remembering that this article is part of the bulletin, “Women, plantations and violence: building resistance.” In this bulletin you can find other articles on how industrial monocultures affect women's lives, and how women are resisting and defending their territories. Don't miss it!