MUMBAI, Nov. 6 -- A nourishment initiative in the state's tribal belts, the Community Action for Nutrition (CAN), has resulted in a heartening reduction of malnutrition in children. Cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) dropped by nearly 52%, while cases of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) fell by 38% within just nine months according to findings from CAN. Helmed by the Maharashtra tribal development department in collaboration with the non-profit SATHI, CAN was implemented between 2018 and 2020 across Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Nashik, Raigad, Pune, Thane and Palghar. The initiative reached over 21,600 children under six years of age and 3,500 pregnant and lactating women across 420 tribal habitations. "We focussed on interventions such as introducing locally sourced food for breakfast and lunch and balancing the meals with nutritious inputs," said Vinod Shende, project officer, SATHI. "ASHA workers maintained the interventions and did regular follow-ups such as checking the weight of the children at their homes." ASHA and anganwadi workers were trained to counsel families on using locally available food and food rights groups were formed, bringing parents, local committees and health workers....