Feminism and environment in context of the Jharkhand region of India 

Summary

Feminism and environment intersect strongly in Jharkhand, where tribal and rural women are frontline custodians of forests, agriculture, and water resources. Their daily dependence on natural ecosystems makes them disproportionately vulnerable to deforestation, mining, and ecological degradation. Movements such as Jharkhand's "Save the Forest Movement" illustrate ecofeminism in practice, linking women's struggles for survival with broader environmental justice. Research highlights that women's agro-ecological knowledge, often marginalized by modern development models, is essential for biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming.

With Jharkhand's forest cover at 29.6% (India State of Forest Report 2021) and tribal communities heavily reliant on it, women-led initiatives like nutri-gardens and Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems (SIFS) are strengthening food security and climate resilience.

Ecofeminism in Jharkhand underscores that patriarchal and capitalist exploitation of both women and nature must be challenged to achieve sustainability. By centering women's voices in environmental policy and grassroots action, Jharkhand offers a powerful example of how feminist principles of equity, care, and cooperation can transform ecological governance and build resilient communities.

Studies show that women's environmental knowledge is critical for sustainable farming and biodiversity conservation. Sarah Jewitt's work on Jharkhand emphasizes how women's agro-ecological practices are often sidelined by modern development models, despite their effectiveness in resource management.

About the presenter:

Amit Deep Mishra is an Agroecology professional dedicated to empowering tribal and marginal farmers through sustainable practices and agroecology. He holds a Master's in Horticulture from CSA University, Kanpur, and a Bachelor's in Agriculture from HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand, with strong academic performance also PG Diploma in Sustainable Rural Development, he has also trained in protected cultivation at ICAR-IARI, mushroom cultivation, apiculture, and food processing in Dehradun.

Professionally, Amit serves as Project Coordinator for the Agroecology Project at Abhivyakti Foundation, Jharkhand, funded by Welthungerhilfe, Germany. His prior roles include Lead Agriculture Expert and Project Coordinator for the SkillUp Project, where he promoted Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems (SIFS), nutri-gardens, livestock diversification, and organic farming.

He has engaged as a resource person, training tribal women, farmers, and CRPs, and has spoken on youth, skill development, and agripreneurship. His academic contributions include conference presentations, book chapters, articles, and a research paper on finger millet. Recognized with the Young Horticulturist Award, Amit combines technical expertise with leadership, public speaking, and documentation skills.