Management of non timber forest produce for improved returns and sustainable development in rural/tribal belt of Jharkhand

Abstract

Jal Jangal aur Jameen (Water,Forests and Land)’ – Tribals in Jharkhand live for and by these three words. They are not just assets but means of livelihood nee life for them. These weakest sections of the society in the country reside in some of the most difficult hilly terrains, where agricultural land is scarce and land productivity is often very low. Moreover they do not have access to modern agriculture practices. Non Timber forest produce (NTFP) can play a very important role in protecting them from poverty and hunger. In spite of surplus food production in the country, at times, majority Tribal population of the state has to go without food. The region is characterized by several, socioeconomic and technological constraints which include unfertile barren land, lack of irrigation facilities, low risk bearing capacity of farmers, small size land holding, traditional methods of cultivation, poor network of transport, lack of marketing services and avenues etc. The inhabitants in such circumstances are forced either to migrate in search of work to distant places such as Punjab and Delhi or survive on meagre local resources. This situation demands optimum utilisation of the available resources or alternative sources of income, taking into account the resources available to the local population. The Tribals get edible roots, fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, birds and animals (deer, hares, pigs etc.) from the forest. The ‘Mahua’ flower is a staple food for the poorer classes, at least for a part of the year. Mahua seed is used for making oil, both for cooking and lighting purposes. It is also used for making liquor. It has been estimated that access to three ‘Mahua’ trees is adequate for the survival of a Tribal household for over a year. The Tribals also eat the fruits of the Palas, Ber, Piar, Jamun, Imli, Sarifa and many other wild trees. It has been estimated that for eking out their livelihood, the Birhore tribes depend to the extent of five sixth and the Sauria Paharia – the hill cultivators of the Santhal Parganas – to the extent of three – fifth on what is available in the forest. Nearly half of the population among the agricultural tribes such as the Munda, Oraon and Ho depend on the forest to earn a livelihood. The basket makers – Mahlis, get their raw material (bamboo) from the forest. Tribals are nature worshippers and hold forests and trees in high regard. They consider these forests and trees equivalent to gods as these forests and trees provide livelihood to them. There are many customs and rituals which allow Tribals to nurture and protect forests Therefore we see that there has been a strong case to maintain a symbiotic sustainable relationship between Tribals and forests. In Jharkhand due to the archaic laws and regulation sometimes government machinery, sometimes the dominant people and contractors did not allow Tribals to have such a symbiotic, sustainable and protective relationship with forest. They forced Tribals to carry out illegal work for them in the forests like mining, lumbering. In any government action against this, it was the Tribals who were caught and punished. It is because of the near bonded labour conditions that Tribals could not say no to such risky work. When they collected various kind of non timber forest produce, the traders and contractors extracted huge profits from this while Tribals got minimal share. In this overall exploitation and deprivation of Tribals, women are one of the worst sufferers. They collect fire wood, ‘Mahua’, sal seeds, tendu leaves and other NTFP and sell them in nearby markets – a trade which involves a lot of drudgery and carries great risk but brings very little economic benefit. In addition this, such activities may be harmful for the forests. It is not that the government has not recognized the potential. They have a couple of programs in right direction. The Department of Welfare has identified several areas to be benefitted under its financing schemes. Funds received under the Tribal Sub Plan, by way of Special Central Assistance, can be utilised to finance schemes through Micro Economic Social Organizations (MESO) to assist the members of Scheduled Tribes in raising their incomes and improving the quality of life. These MESO can take economic activities including collection of NTFPs and marketing them. The TCDC (Tribal Co-operative Development Corporation) shall provide loans and assistance to Tribal Co-operative to enable the exploitation of minor forest products and minerals. But most of these programs and initiatives have been non starters due to lack of training, local self government and proper monitoring. Let us examine some of the important Non Timber Forest Produces which are some of the important means of livelihood in the interior areas of Jharkhand.