Seva Niketan

We aim to strengthen institutions for forest-based livelihoods, promote prescho…

Forest Fire Prevention Awareness Workshop at Ghunghuti Gram Sabha

About Us

Seva Niketan

Empowering marginalized rural and tribal communities by fostering dignity, rights, and sustainable development to achieve self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

Seva Niketan is a non-profit organization established in 1999 at Ladugaon, Kalahandi, Odisha. Our work spans across the Kalahandi district, covering blocks such as Lanjigarh, M. Rampur, Koksara, Golamunda, Junagarh, and Bhawanipatna, positively impacting over 100 villages.
Seva Niketan was founded to address the severe socio-economic challenges faced by communities in Kalahandi, including starvation, poverty, and child trafficking. Our mission is to empower rural and tribal communities by organizing them to sustainably manage and govern their local resources. Through capacity-building, education, and advocacy, we support these communities in improving their livelihoods and fostering a dignified and self-reliant way of life.
Our Values
Seva Niketan is deeply inspired by Gandhian philosophy, which serves as our guiding light in eradicating poverty and …

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Our focus area

Events

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From Awareness to Empowerment: Strengthening Community Forest Rights Under FRA 2006

Awareness campaigns on the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 are empowering forest-dependent communities to recognize, claim, and exercise their rights over traditional forest resources. Through wall posters, village meetings, and community discussions, women, youth, and marginalized groups are gaining critical knowledge about democratic forest governance, community stewardship, and their legal rights under the FRA. By taking legal awareness directly to the grassroots, these initiatives are strengthening the role of Gram Sabhas, encouraging collective participation, and building community confidence to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage forests. The campaign is fostering a stronger sense of ownership, accountability, and collective action toward ecological conservation and community-led forest governance.

16 May, 2026

From Forest Rights to Financial Transparency: Strengthening Gram Sabha Institutions

By practicing collective financial review and inclusive decision-making, Gram Sabhas are building a strong model of transparent, democratic, and community-led forest governance. In such meetings, villagers collectively review the Gram Sabha cashbook, passbook records, and expenditure details related to the trade of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) such as Bamboo and Tendu Leaves. The Gram Sabha-managed funds generated through collective NTFP trade are openly discussed and verified by community members to ensure accountability, transparency, and equitable utilization of resources. This participatory process allows villagers to monitor income, expenditures, and financial decisions taken on behalf of the community, reinforcing trust and collective ownership over forest-based livelihoods. By practicing transparent financial governance and collective decision-making, these Gram Sabhas are strengthening grassroots democracy while exercising their rights to manage, conserve, and sustainable benefits from their community forest resources.

Her Forest, Her Future: Women Leading Ecological Restoration

Women Gram Sabha leaders are exercising their rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 to protect and regenerate their local ecosystems. By establishing a community-managed nursery, they are actively reversing forest degradation and nurturing biodiversity. From endangered species to local staples like Teak, Tamarind, Chironji, and Red Sandal, these women are growing the future of their forests rights in their own community land. This inspiring initiative in Jamguda village by women Gram Sabha leader is an exercise of their rights under Section 3(1)(i) of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, which empowers communities to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage their own forest resources. By leading this nursery, the women of Jamguda are not only restoring nature but proudly reclaiming their stewardship over the land.

Weaving Forest Stewardship into Village Development Planning

Community forest governance is being strengthened through the active integration of approved Community Forest Resource Management Plans (CFRMPs) into the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). This initiative enables forest-dependent communities to strategically converge various government schemes and institutional resources for afforestation, soil and water conservation, livelihood enhancement, fire prevention, regeneration of degraded forests, and long-term protection of community forest resources. By formally institutionalizing CFRMPs within GPDPs, Gram Sabhas are strengthening democratic decentralization and ensuring that community forest rights are translated into concrete development interventions at the grassroots level.

Programs

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FGHR Livelihood and Women's Rights Program

The FGHR program focuses on empowering tribal communities, particularly PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) and CFRMCs (Community Forest Rights Management Committees), by strengthening 28 Gram Sabha institutions. The initiative aims to secure forest rights, promote sustainable forest-based livelihoods, and empower women within these communities. Supported by FGHR, the program envisions long-term sustainability through strengthened governance and economic opportunities. A dedicated team of three staff members drives this impactful work, fostering self-reliance and community empowerment.

GGF Livelihood and Biodiversity Program

The GGF program is dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of tribal communities, including PVTGs and CFRMCs, while preserving biodiversity. By strengthening 18 Gram Sabha institutions, the initiative aims to secure forest rights, promote sustainable forest-based livelihoods, and empower women in these communities. Supported by GGF, the program fosters long-term ecological and economic resilience. With a committed team of two staff members, the initiative works to create sustainable and inclusive growth for the tribal populations it serves.

JDF Children's Food, Nutrition, and Education Program

The JDF program focuses on improving food security, nutrition, and education for children from tribal communities in 5 Gram Sabhas. The initiative aims to ensure access to quality preschool education and nutrition, fostering healthier and more educated future generations. Supported by JDF, the program drives long-term outcomes by addressing key developmental needs. With a dedicated team of five staff members, the initiative works to enhance nutritional and educational outcomes for the children it serves.

APF Livelihood and Local Governance Program

The APF program is dedicated to enhancing livelihoods and strengthening local governance among tribal communities, particularly PVTG Gram Sabha members, across 9 Gram Sabhas. The initiative focuses on securing forest rights, empowering women, and promoting sustainable forest-based livelihoods. Supported by APF, this program works toward long-term outcomes by building resilient Gram Sabha institutions and fostering economic and ecological sustainability. With a committed team of four staff members, the program drives inclusive growth and community empowerment.

Our Impact

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Seva Niketan

We aim to strengthen institutions for forest-based livelihoods, promote prescho…

Forest Fire Prevention Awareness Workshop at Ghunghuti Gram Sabha

About Us

Seva Niketan

Our focus area

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT

LIVELIHOOD

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Events

From Awareness to Empowerment: Strengthening Community Forest Rights Under FRA 2006

From Forest Rights to Financial Transparency: Strengthening Gram Sabha Institutions

Her Forest, Her Future: Women Leading Ecological Restoration

Weaving Forest Stewardship into Village Development Planning

Programs

FGHR Livelihood and Women's Rights Program

GGF Livelihood and Biodiversity Program

JDF Children's Food, Nutrition, and Education Program

APF Livelihood and Local Governance Program

Our Impact

But we're not done yet. We need you