Odisha’s Women-Led Sankirtan Mandalis Cut Forest Fires by 30% with Song

In a remarkable blend of tradition and environmental activism, Odisha’s women-led sankirtan mandalis have reduced forest fire incidents by up to 30% in 2025, using the power of folk music to spread awareness. These devotional song-and-dance troupes, rooted in a 15th-century tradition, are transforming forest conservation in villages like Murgapahadi in Keonjhar district. By educating communities about the dangers of burning leaves in forests—a practice once thought to enrich soil but now linked to uncontrollable wildfires—these women are safeguarding Odisha’s biodiversity. Recent reports highlight this innovative approach as a model for community-driven climate action.

The initiative, launched earlier in 2025, enlisted 80 sankirtan mandalis by forest officials to combat the rising threat of forest fires, which scorched over 4,500 hectares of Odisha’s dry deciduous forests this year, up from 4,000 hectares in 2024. Women from rural areas, traditionally tasked with managing households and collecting forest resources, have formed their own troupes, breaking gender norms to perform devotional songs in local languages. Pramila Pradhan, leader of the Murgapahadi troupe, has been instrumental in this effort, with her group credited for reducing fires to just 26 out of 600 in Keonjhar district this summer, according to forest guard Omprakash Jena. The songs, accompanied by cymbals and drums, urge villagers to avoid practices that ignite wildfires, resonating deeply in religious communities.

Odisha’s forest department, supported by the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), has complemented these cultural efforts with technology, including AI cameras and satellite data for fire tracking. However, the appeal of sankirtan mandalis has proven more effective than punitive measures like fines, as villagers trust and connect with the troupes’ messages. Dibakar Patra, president of an umbrella organization of 20,000 mandalis in Odisha, notes that 1,000 are now women-led, expanding their role beyond festivals to include water conservation and fire prevention awareness. Posts on X celebrate this “cultural wisdom,” with users praising the 30% reduction in fire incidents as a testament to blending tradition with modern challenges.

The impact of forest fires extends beyond environmental loss, affecting rural livelihoods and nutrition. Women like Balamati Munda, a troupe member, explain that fires destroy wild yam, tubers, and mushrooms essential for family diets, forcing reliance on limited government rice supplies. By preventing fires, the mandalis protect both ecosystems and food security. The initiative also empowers women, offering figures like Ketaki Nayak, married at 10, a platform to showcase their talents and contribute to community welfare. This aligns with Odisha’s broader environmental initiatives, such as planting 7.5 crore saplings and banning single-use plastics in forest zones.

Despite the success, challenges persist. Biswajeet Mohanty of the Wildlife Society of Odisha argues that while sankirtan mandalis are effective, they don’t address systemic issues like industrial pollution fueling the climate crisis. Ensuring the sustainability of this approach requires ongoing support and community engagement, as some X users note the need for broader awareness campaigns. The forest department plans to expand the program, leveraging Odisha’s cultural troupes for other conservation efforts.

Odisha’s sankirtan mandalis demonstrate the power of cultural heritage in tackling environmental challenges. By reducing forest fires by 30%, these women-led troupes are not only protecting biodiversity but also redefining community resilience. As Odisha continues to innovate, from AI surveillance at the Rath Yatra to biotech advancements, the mandalis’ songs echo a timeless truth: local solutions can drive global change.