The women folks of this village are quite adept in making crafts like baskets, bags, plant pots, containers from savai grass
A de-notified tribe, now classified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), Lodhas were falsely accused of making a living out of robbery by British colonial masters, a stigma that continued in the years after India achieved independent. As a result, the tribe was forced out of the mainstream, living a secluded life. Some elements in the community took to crime in the absence of any other opportunity.
The Chhota Jhauri village in Gopiballavpur block of Jhargram district is home to the Lodha tribe and has a population of 276 of which 147 are males while 129 are females. All the villagers belong to the scheduled tribe category. Most of these people work as day labour and do not own any land.
The women folks of this village are quite adept in making crafts like baskets, bags, plant pots, containers from savai grass (babui dori) and bamboo. However, they are only able to sell those only during village fairs.