Origin — Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Bastar: The Craft Heartland
In the forested highlands of southern Chhattisgarh, the Gond, Halba, and Muria communities have lived in relationship with the forest for generations. Their craft and forest knowledge are inseparable.
The Ecosystem
The Ecosystem
Bastar's forests are dominated by sal, teak, and mahua — a tree so central to Adivasi life that it is called the 'tree of life'. The forest floor yields wild honey, tamarind, amla, and dozens of edible and medicinal plants. The region's biodiversity is among the highest in peninsular India.
Forest Cover
44% of district area
Primary Species
Sal, Teak, Mahua, Bamboo
Elevation
300–1,000m above sea level
Annual Rainfall
1,200–1,600mm
The Communities
The Communities
We work with Gond and Halba communities in the Kondagaon and Narayanpur districts of Bastar. Our partners are primarily women-led self-help groups and forest producer cooperatives, many of which have been formalised under India's Forest Rights Act.
Women-Led Groups
Over 70% of our Bastar harvesters are women, organised into self-help groups with formal bank accounts and documented payment records.
Forest Rights Act
Our partner communities hold Community Forest Rights titles under the Forest Rights Act 2006, giving them legal authority over their forest resources.
Generational Knowledge
Harvest practices are passed down through oral tradition. We document this knowledge with community consent as part of our origin records.
What We Source
Products from Bastar
Wild Forest Honey
Harvested from cliff and tree hives by trained honey hunters. Single-origin, unprocessed, tested for purity.
Mahua Flowers
Dried mahua blossoms collected in spring. Used in traditional cooking, brewing, and as a natural sweetener.
Dhokra Craft
Lost-wax metal casting practised by the Dhokra Damar community. Each piece is unique and signed by its maker.
Wild Tamarind
Forest-gathered tamarind from mature trees. Richer and more complex than cultivated varieties.
Documentation
Traceability Record
All Bastar products carry a batch code traceable to harvest date, community, and GPS-verified forest zone. Certificates of analysis available on request.
Community Forest Rights Title
Government of Chhattisgarh
Certificate of Analysis
FSSAI-accredited laboratory
Fair Price Documentation
Niyati internal audit