Green warriors of Amboya: 10 women, 25 years & a forest reborn

Driven by a deep passion for forest conservation, a dedicated group of 10 women from Amboya village in Paonta Sahib, Sirmaur district, have transformed three hectares of reserve forest into a thriving green space through years of relentless effort.

Their commitment to environmental protection began in 2000, under the leadership of Kamla Devi, when they founded the Mahila Van Evam Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, Amboya. Since then, they have been instrumental in protecting and restoring the Baghani forests, a Sal forest division located about 20 km from Paonta Sahib town.

These women, once restrained by the shackles of a patriarchal society, have broken norms to safeguard their natural heritage. Over the past 25 years, their efforts have turned degraded forest patches into dense green canopies, regularly battling threats like illicit felling, overgrazing and excessive lopping.

Their journey began with inspiration from a Deputy Range Officer in 1996-97, who instilled in them the value of forest conservation. Clad in self-designed green salwar suits, the women became local icons of environmental activism. Their cause gained momentum when Divisional Forest Officer SK Singla integrated them into the Joint Forest Management Committee, eventually registering them as a formal Samiti in 2008.

Today, under the guidance of DFO Aishwarya Raj, the Forest Department has extended support through the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, providing Rs 1.2 lakh per hectare to support their plantation activities. “The Baghani forest today resembles a Miyawaki forest — a model of dense, native afforestation — and the younger generation is now actively participating in the conservation efforts,” the DFO shared.

The Samiti’s activities include plantation, weeding, fencing and daily patrolling of protected forest zones. These women not only protect the green cover but also assist the Forest Department in identifying and bringing offenders to justice.

Their decades-long mission has not only greened the landscape but has inspired a community-wide movement in a region often threatened by unchecked deforestation and reckless mining. These unsung heroes continue to be a beacon of hope, proving that with dedication and collective spirit, even the most fragile ecosystems can be revived.

A dedicated group of 10 women from Amboya village.