The lands at Mendha Lekha village in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district are collectively owned, with the profits shared among all. This settlement of around 500 Gond tribe members tells a powerful tale of cooperation and shared prosperity.
Surrounded by lush forests abundant with teak, bamboo and an array of flora and fauna, the air is thick with an earthy fragrance at Mendha Lekha village in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. Call it the scent of success. This remote settlement of around 500 Gond tribe members has sprung a tale of cooperation, collective enterprise and shared prosperity.
This small community, steeped in history and tradition, has inhabited these lands for generations. The villagers eschew class and caste hierarchies. The jungle is their lifeline, providing food, firewood, timber and fodder — ensuring their self-sufficiency and harmonious coexistence with nature.
The forest is a haven for species like the wolf, leopard, sloth bear, tiger, Indian peafowl, and the central Indian giant squirrel. While tigers are a rare sight, leopards are more commonly spotted.
The villagers have discovered the wealth that bamboo can bring. Every year, they collectively earn more than Rs 1 crore from the sale of bamboo — a figure that could easily spark envy among urban entrepreneurs. This income is shared among the villagers, helping to fund infrastructure improvements, water conservation projects, education and healthcare.
But the true marvel of this village isn’t just the financial success. It’s the ethos that drives it.
Years ago, the people here made a bold decision: they pledged their private lands to the community. It was a move that, on the surface, appeared almost utopian, echoing the principles of socialism. But this wasn’t some abstract political experiment. It was a response to the harsh realities of rural life, where survival often depends on unity and shared purpose.
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In the late 1970s, the village faced a threat from a proposed hydroelectric project in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, which would have displaced its inhabitants and disrupted their forest-dependent lifestyles. Mobilising under the support of some NGOs, the community protested, leading to the project’s cancellation in 1985.
The victory galvanised Mendha Lekha towards self-rule, sparking initiatives to revive tribal cultural identity and assert greater control over their land and resources.
“We decided early on that we would use this opportunity to improve the lives of everyone,” said village elder Devaji Tofa, reflecting on the community’s long-term goals.
Led by Tofa and guided by the ideals of the Gramdan movement, the village became a shining example of rural development and self-governance.
Mendha Lekha first made headlines in the early 2000s when it became the first village in India to secure community forest rights, allowing the villagers to harvest and sell bamboo from their surrounding forests.
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That was just one part of their broader mission for autonomy. The community’s commitment to the Gramdan movement, inspired by social reformer Vinoba Bhave’s vision for self-sufficient villages, laid the foundation for Mendha Lekha’s transformation.
For years, the village fought for recognition as a Gramdan village under the Maharashtra Gramdan Act of 1964, which allows villages to govern themselves if 75 percent of landowners voluntarily surrender their land to the gram sabha. Mendha Lekha fulfilled this requirement by 2013, but the final step — official recognition from the state government — remained elusive. Undeterred, the village continued its fight, eventually taking their case to the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court. In September 2023, the court ruled in their favour, forcing the state to grant the long-awaited notification.
On February 21, 2024, Mendha Lekha celebrated a major victory: it was officially recognised as a gram panchayat.
Historically, the forests were managed by the tribal communities as common property. However, after India’s Independence, the government took control and the villagers’ customary rights were ignored, said Mohan, a resident of the village.
“Our village has overcome these hurdles through continuous support and advocacy from civil society groups,” Mohan added.
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For Tofa and other village leaders, self-sufficiency was always the goal, but they knew that economic empowerment was only one part of the equation.
The lands, now collectively owned, are tilled and harvested by the entire village. The bamboo that grows in abundance is harvested with care, ensuring that the groves continue to flourish year after year. The profits, too, are shared equally among all.
Every decision, from planting to selling, is made collectively, fostering a deep sense of belonging and mutual respect. The villagers are not just partners in business; they are custodians of a way of life that values cooperation over competition.
In a world where inequality often seems inevitable, this village has found a way to distribute wealth in a manner that keeps everyone invested in the community’s success.
The impact of this collective effort is visible in every corner of the village. The local school is thriving, and the village’s children are receiving an education their parents could only dream of.
“We now have electricity, clean water, good roads and strong houses,” said Soma Gawde, a member of the gram sabha. “Our children are attending school, and we have the resources to ensure they get a good education.”
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For the people of Mendha Lekha, the village’s transformation is not just about material improvements — it’s about reclaiming their destiny.
“We chose the path of peace and progress,” Tofa said, noting the village’s resolve to stay focused on development despite the Maoist insurgency that has gripped surrounding regions. Although Mendha Lekha was never a direct target of violence, the threat of conflict was always near.
The villagers’ choice to build a peaceful, prosperous future has been their greatest defence. “Our best defence against violence was unity and development,” said Tofa. “We’ve built this future together.”
Now that Mendha Lekha has achieved gram panchayat status, the villagers are setting their sights on even greater goals. “Our next goal is to enhance our bamboo-processing capabilities,” said Gawde.
The village is exploring the possibility of setting up a processing unit, which would allow them to produce finished bamboo products and sell directly to consumers. This expansion could create more jobs for local youth and further increase the village’s income.
Located 30km from the district headquarters of Gadchiroli, the village is also planning to expand its focus on sustainable farming, education and healthcare.
In a country where the gap between rich and poor often feels insurmountable, this small village offers a different vision of prosperity. It’s a place where wealth is measured not just in money but in the strength of community ties, where success is shared, and where the land, revered and nurtured, provides for all.
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The lead image on top shows the lush natural beauty that surrounds Mendha Lekha village in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. (Photo by Akansha Deshmukh)
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist with a rich background in uncovering the intricacies of crime, scams, corruption, and political affairs.
