Barkha PawarSukalo Gond is a veteran Adivasi activist from Uttar Pradesh’s Majhouli Village. She is an important force in the struggle for implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 in Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh. Before sections 4 and 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927-a, Adivasis living in this region have been denied their lands and rights. Sonebhadra comprises 70% Adivasi population.
Adivasi women leaders in UP have been systematically bullied and harassed in the process of implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Sukalo is the living witness to the atrocities and violence against Adivasis and forest dwellers.
Sukalo is also the treasurer with the All India Union for Forest Working People (AIU FWP). She has been a part of the petition filed by the wildlife conservation groups contesting the validity of the Forest Rights Act, to evict well over a million Adivasis from more than 16 states in India in 2019.
