Uplifting the Baiga Tribe: A Vision Rooted in Healing and Dignity
In the heart of central India, nestled within the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, lives one of the country’s most fascinating yet forgotten communities — the Baiga tribe. Known for their ancient bond with nature, herbal wisdom, and spiritual connection to the forest, the Baigas have long been caretakers of the land. But today, they are among India’s most marginalized.
We want to change that — with purpose, care, and your support.
Who Are the Baigas?
The Baigas are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), recognized by the Government of India for their socio-economic hardship and geographic isolation. Their population is small, scattered mostly across forest regions like Amarkantak, Dindori, Balaghat, and parts of Chhattisgarh.
Traditionally, the Baigas have practiced shifting cultivation, gathering medicinal plants, and healing through forest herbs — passed down orally through generations. They believe in living with the forest, not off it. Many Baigas refuse to plough the land, considering it sacred. Their worldview is deeply spiritual, respectful of nature, and rooted in an indigenous intelligence that modern science is only beginning to appreciate.
Why Are They So Special?
- Deep Herbal Knowledge: Baigas possess an intuitive understanding of plant medicine — identifying, harvesting, and combining herbs for everything from digestive issues to snake bites.
- Cultural Preservation: They still maintain rituals, tattoos, and oral traditions that have barely changed for hundreds of years.
- Documented Legacy: Notably, the book The Baiga by Verrier Elwin — an anthropologist who lived among them — documented their incredible way of life, their connection to the forest, and their silent dignity. Even decades ago, Elwin warned that “modernity” would erase their wisdom.
And he was right.
The Reality Today
Despite their rich heritage, most Baigas today live in severe poverty.
- Many have no formal employment.
- Their lands are shrinking due to deforestation and development projects.
- Young Baigas often leave their villages for daily wage jobs in nearby towns — earning next to nothing and losing touch with their heritage.
- Access to healthcare, education, and housing remains extremely limited.
- Their herbal knowledge is undervalued, unprotected, and at risk of extinction.
They are wise. They are skilled. But they are economically invisible.
What Ayurvance Will Do (With Your Support)
Ayurvance was born out of a deep respect for healing — not just of the body, but of ecosystems, communities, and forgotten traditions.
We are currently raising funds to begin our herbal supplement business. And one of our first priorities is to create respectful, dignified income opportunities for Baiga families through:
1. Herbal Sourcing
We plan to work with Baiga communities in and around Amarkantak — the very region our founder grew up in — to identify and ethically harvest potent native herbs. Not only will they be fairly paid, but their traditional knowledge will be acknowledged and protected.
2. Organic Cultivation Training
Shifting from wild harvesting to organic cultivation (in native soil, with native methods) offers a sustainable solution. We will train Baiga women and men in organic herb farming — right in their villages — and buy back the herbs at premium prices.
3. Infrastructure and Dignity
We’re not just outsourcing labor. We want to co-build something. Long term, we aim to set up community drying units, seed banks, and post-harvest training centers with the help of NGOs and herbal experts.
Why This Matters
It’s not just about employment. It’s about reclaiming their identity. About ensuring that the people who have protected plant wisdom for centuries are not left behind in the wellness boom.
And it’s about you — the reader. Whether you’re a supporter, a future customer, or just someone who cares — your support directly helps us make this vision real.
We are not yet a large company. We haven’t launched. But we are building something with deep roots. Every contribution, every share, every show of belief moves us closer to empowering one of India’s most beautiful communities — not with charity, but with meaningful work.
- Support our fundraiser — Every amount helps us start sooner, train better, and reach more families.
- Share this blog — Help us tell the Baiga story. The world should know who they are.
- Stay connected — As we grow, you’ll see their impact in every product we create.
At Ayurvance, we’re not just making herbal supplements. We’re building a system where healing is mutual — where forests are protected, wisdom is respected, and dignity is restored.
Because wellness should lift everyone it touches.
Note: The book The Baiga by Verrier Elwin is available for free online reading at the Internet Archive: The Baiga by Verrier Elwin
https://ayurvance.com