IFS Officer Shashi Kumar Supports Tribal Women with Bamboo Craft

In the forests of Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district, Shashi Kumar, a 2018-batch Indian Forest Service officer, is guiding an initiative to create sustainable livelihoods for tribal women. As the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kumar is helping them refine their traditional skills in crafting jewellery from bamboo and chhind grass. The program provides a structured training course of seven to eight days, teaching design techniques and compensating the women for their time, which fosters a sense of professionalism and value in their craft.

The training began in the village of Kotanpani, where women were already familiar with these local materials but lacked a way to turn their skills into a stable income. Kumar’s initiative concentrates on a specific market niche: bamboo jewellery. This focus, rather than a diversification into multiple crafts, is intended to help the artisans establish a unique identity and a strong brand presence for their products.

After completing their training, the women form a committee to manage collective production. A key development came with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rare Planet, a retail brand with stores in airports across India. The partnership gives the handcrafted jewellery access to premium retail spaces, raising its market value from ₹200–₹300 locally to between ₹4,000 and ₹4,500 in airport shops. This has boosted the women’s income and helped them see their craft as a viable business rather than a hobby.

The initiative gained further attention during a visit from President Droupadi Murmu, who publicly acknowledged the Jashpur women’s craftsmanship in a speech. This recognition was a morale boost for the artisans, reinforcing the value of their work. According to Shashi Kumar, the project is about more than income; it aims to foster confidence, identity, and independence among the women involved.

To maintain transparency, the project's financial accounts are audited monthly in front of the participants, building trust and clarity around payments. The women also receive training in presentation and communication to prepare them for representing their products at exhibitions. Shashi Kumar plans to provide support for one to two years, after which the group is expected to manage its operations independently. The overall goal is not just to sell jewellery, but to cultivate a sense of ownership and entrepreneurship among the tribal women of Jashpur.