80 % of rural women are engaged in livelihoods depended on natural resources in India. This intense relationship, throws up a whole range of issues and questions. Does the policy recognize this intensity? Do we all at large value the knowledge systems, which may have developed among these women? How have women coped with coercion from state in their accessing of natural resources?

This film tries to explore these questions through four focused engagements. The fisherwomen off the coast of Karnataka are today distraught and distressed. The fish catch on which they and their families have lived has gone down.

The Apatani Women of Ziro, the NorthEastern state of Arunachal Pradesh have controlled their unique fish-paddy agriculture for many years. But the future of this agriculture is unsure.

The adivasi (indigenous people) and dalit (lower castes) women of Kashipur, Eastern Indian state of Orissa have taken their fight over rights over Hill Broom, squarely into the courtyard of the state. And won! And the women of Sonebhadra, central Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have braved bullets and physical abuse of the state to protect their land from being taken over.

This film was supported by UNDP and worked on for one and a half years, Completed in May 2005.

Partners : UNDP
Director : Krishnendu Bose and Kavita Das Gupta
Camera : Krishnendu Bose