While the government is now making a case for a self-reliant economy, a village tucked in the low mountain ranges in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district has been been "aatmanirbhar" in the true sense of the word.
A secluded forest in Satpura is a home to a community which resides 17 feet below the surface in a place named "Patal Lok".
Bhariya community is among the three tribal communities which reside in Madhya Pradesh. The forest houses 12 villages which are known for their rich culture and its unique geographical location.
It is said that the residents of Pataal Lok only leave to procure salt. They are so self-reliant that they grow everything by themselves and procure the rest from the evergiving forest.
According to a report by The Better India, Pataallok had no road connectivity until a few years ago. The tribals took support of trees and its branches to venture out. However, later the village got its first road which made lives much easier for the people.
The rich forest of the offers a wide variety of herbs which are used to make traditional medicines. The Bhariya community has extreme affection towards the forest. They do not cut any tree and the houses they build use trees that may have fallen down.?
Pataal Lok is a village which is a model village in every sense, be it for living with nature with harmony or being self-reliant.