New Delhi, May 14 -- In a powerful show of grassroots resistance, more than 3,000 tribal and forest-dwelling women from over 100 Gram Sabhas across seven blocks in Kalahandi district of Odisha came together to block National Highway 26 in Ampani, protesting the Forest Department's continued denial of Gram Sabha-issued transit permits for kendu leaf transportation.

Kendu leaves, popularly known as the 'Green Gold of Odisha', are a vital minor forest produce (MFP) and extremely important for the state's economy as well, contributing hugely to forest dwellers' lives and livelihood.

The protest, which began at 9:00 AM and lasted until 2:30 PM, was a direct response to the recent seizure of trucks carrying kendu leaves by Forest Department ...