Reclaiming the Forest: The Rise of a Tribal Economy in Jharkhand
How Adivasi communities in Jharkhand are reclaiming their rights, reviving forest traditions, and building a regenerative economy—one ancestral product at a time.
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4/8/20252 min read
In the heart of Jharkhand’s lush green forests, a quiet revolution is taking root. It doesn’t roar. It grows—like a Sal tree, deep-rooted, resilient, and full of promise. This is the story of Disum Collective Pvt. Ltd. (DCPL)—a movement that’s turning indigenous knowledge into sustainable enterprise and transforming forgotten forest produce into a future of dignity.
For generations, Adivasi communities have lived in harmony with the forests. They’ve harvested tamarind, collected lac, brewed mahua, and created wonders from the land. But what they lacked was access, fair prices, and a platform to tell their story. The mainstream economy moved on, but the forest remained unheard. Until now.
DCPL is a collective response to this silence. We are building a tribal-owned, community-governed business platform that values people and the planet. Our products are more than organic—they are ancestral. Every unit of products processed or sold carries with it the sweat, memory, and culture of the people who have long been marginalized.
Why It Matters
India’s forest produce market is valued at over ₹50,000 crores. Yet, tribal gatherers often receive less than 5% of the final value of their produce. This is not just economic injustice—it’s cultural erasure. DCPL is here to change that by:
Ensuring ethical sourcing and fair pricing
Training local youth in sustainable enterprise
Creating value-added NTFP products for national and global markets
Building an economy that feeds the body and nourishes the soul
From the Forest to Your Home
Imagine sipping on herbal tea harvested by women’s collectives in Khunti. Or enjoying a bowl of delicious soup on a cold winter evening made from the traditional herbs from forest-covered villages around Chaibasa. Through our upcoming product lines, DCPL aims to bring the forest to your home—not as a commodity, but as a connection.
Each product you purchase supports tribal livelihoods, revives forgotten traditions, and contributes to a regenerative economy rooted in justice.
Join the Movement
Disum Collective isn’t just a brand. It’s a call. A forest whisper becoming a people’s voice. We invite you to walk with us, invest in us, and buy from us. Together, we’re not just creating products—we’re reclaiming the forest economy.