Chougan Craft Center, Mandla
Building sustainable livelihoods through skill development and community-led initiatives.
The Craft Center in Chougan, Mandla was established with a focus on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities through skill development, training, and community-led production initiatives. Located in the forest regions of Madhya Pradesh, the center works closely with tribal women and rural communities to build income-generation opportunities rooted in local resources, practical skills, and long-term economic sustainability.
The Craft Center in Chougan is envisioned as a space where traditional knowledge, tribal craftsmanship, and sustainable livelihoods could come together. The center works closely with tribal communities, particularly women, to create opportunities rooted in culture, local resources, and community participation.
For generations, communities in this region have lived in close relationship with forests, carrying forward indigenous knowledge systems, craft traditions, and ecological practices. However, changing economies, lack of livelihood opportunities, migration, and limited market access have gradually weakened traditional craft ecosystems and reduced sustainable income opportunities for rural and tribal families.
The Craft Center is created as a response to these challenges — not only to preserve traditional skills, but also to help communities reimagine them as dignified and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the future.
Located in the forested heartland of Madhya Pradesh, Mandla is a region known for its rich ecological landscapes, indigenous communities, and deep connection to forests and natural resources. Surrounded by dense forests, rivers, and biodiversity-rich areas near the Kanha region, Mandla has long been home to several tribal communities whose lives, livelihoods, and cultural practices are closely tied to the environment around them.
Among the most prominent communities in the region is the Baiga Tribe, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India. The Baiga community is widely recognised for its extensive traditional knowledge of forests, medicinal plants, healing practices, and sustainable ways of living that have been passed down across generations.
Lantana Camara: From invasive weed to livelihood opportunity
Lantana camara is widely considered one of the most invasive plant species in India. It spreads aggressively across forest areas, preventing the growth of native plants and affecting grazing lands and biodiversity. Forest departments and local communities have long struggled with its rapid spread.
Through the Climate Craft Initiative, the Craft Center introduced training programs that transformed lantana into a sustainable craft material. Instead of viewing the plant solely as a forest threat, communities began learning how it could be harvested responsibly and converted into handcrafted products.
The initiative encouraged a circular economy approach — where an invasive forest species could be removed while simultaneously generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
Women-led training and skill development
The current phase of training focused on lantana craft development and
engaged 40+ tribal women from surrounding communities. For many
participants, this was their first formal livelihood training experience and
the first time they worked collectively outside domestic responsibilities.
Women were trained in:
-
Lantana harvesting and processing
-
Craft development and weaving techniques
-
Product finishing and detailing
-
Sustainable material usage
-
Community-based production practices
The training created not only skill-building opportunities, but also
spaces for confidence, collaboration, and financial participation.
Women who had previously never considered craft as a source of
income began contributing to production activities and exploring new
possibilities for economic independence.
Future Training And Expansion
The Craft Center continues to expand its vision of community-led and sustainable livelihood development.
Upcoming training programs will focus on:
-
Terracotta and clay-based craft practices
-
Stitching and sewing training for women
-
Product diversification and entrepreneurship support
-
Skill enhancement for youth and women-led collectives
-
Rural tourism and cultural engagement initiatives
These future programs aim to create diversified livelihood opportunities while strengthening the connection between craft, culture, sustainability, and local identity.