The prestigious Padma Shri award in her kitty, forest activist Jamuna Tudu is now looking forward to spread her wings across Kolhan.

The 32-year-old green crusader, who received the coveted honour from President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi on Monday, has decided to spread the activities of her organisation, Van Suraksha Samiti, across Kolhan.

“Ab toh aur jimmedari se kaam karna hoga. Samiti ko purey Kolhan mein failana hai (I have to work with more responsibility now. We have decided to spread our activities across Kolhan),” Jamuna, who heads the outfit, said.

Formed in 1998, the samiti is currently limited to East Singhbhum. It has over 300 women members in the district, including Bahragora, Ghatshila, Potka, Patamda and Dalbhumgarh.

Known as Lady Tarzan for the ferocity with which she fights the timber mafia to protect forests, Jamuna said people across Kolhan were keen to join the samiti and work for a cause. “We don’t want to remain confined to East Singhbhum only as I feel the entire forest cover of Jharkhand needs to be protected. I will soon take a tour of West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan to form units in the districts,” she added.

Jamuna, who lives at Muturkham village in Chakulia said she would meet the state government with a request to allow samiti members to collect forest produce.

“I think we should get the rights of collecting forest produce as we are involved in protecting the jungles for over two decades. We can sell the products and earn money to ensure smooth functioning of the samiti,” Jamuna added.