Under the Mahua tree!

The sun seemed very unkind but the villagers of the remote village of Kobsadera in the Rengali block, Sambalpur district (Odisha) gathered to discuss how best they could protect their forests from illegal felling and the wood mafia. The winding path, the dust, the heat, and the sparse vegetation didn’t seem to matter, once we sat under the canopy of the mahua tree on the hot summer afternoon. “Mahua is our life line. She is our Goddess Laxmi, helping us survive in the worst of times” explained Siriya Mahji, SHG Leader & Village Health Animator.


Kobsadera village with a population of 337 looked a normal tribal village whose dependence on forest produce was their lifeline. Like in the other parts of the country revered as precious that provided for daily existence and for livelihoods. Manoranjan, the MASS project officer working with the villagers informed me that “the people are very simple and very hardworking with minimal needs and desires”. Seated under the Mahua tree, with light breeze blowing, Luttu Mirdha (a villager) says “only because of the jungle we are able to survive and tide over the dry periods”.

Community dependence on forests

The traditional communities especially the tribals have been long associated with nature and blend into the surroundings very effortlessly. The trees, the birds and the animals all seem to be a part of their life and anything less affects their life in a greater way. One of the villagers commented “we know our trees like they are part of the family and the forest is like our backyard, we grew up collecting food, fodder and fuel wood from these areas all our life”.

Community managed forests are not new to this part of the country, specially Odisha. The tradition goes back to the early century where forest dwellers would take charge of the surrounding forests that provided them with plenty – food, medicine and fuel. They are highly dependent on the forest for fuelwood, timber for housing construction and for making simple agricultural implements. Non-timber forest products harvested from the forest include nuts, berries, leaves of sal (Shorea robusta), harida (Terminalia chebula), bahida (Terminalia belerica) and several other medicinal plants.

Nonetheless, mahua, kendu, sal and bamboo still predominate in these areas and contribute to the economic independence of the community. For self consumption, the villagers collect ‘saag’ – leafy vegetables/creepers and mushroom from the forests and also grow some in their backyards. Interestingly, though the villagers have approximately 41 cows, they do not consume milk products, but have them to give birth to bullocks to help them in agriculture. Overall, there are 110 bullocks, 93 goats and approx. 100 hens.

The area totally rainfed and so is limited in the agriculture produce. They grow rice/paddy in their land which is approximately 295 acres. Apart from 2 households who are self employed (other than cultivation) and 9 landless households all others are engaged in some sort of cultivation. It is interesting to note that even though the people are marginally poor yet there is no household that goes without two square meals a day. “The basics are always fulfilled thanks to the jungle, food may not be nutritious but we never go hungry” says the shy Rajkumari Bag.

Kurti Mirdha, 58 yrs old, who depends on agriculture and grows onion and a variety of ‘saag’ ruefully remarks “The forest wealth has drastically reduced over time, even the quality has reduced”. He says, for example, the bamboo shoots which was so readily available and considered a delicacy is no longer found.

“Quest for survival, Quest for livelihoods”

It is estimated that the villagers from Kobsadera depend on about 200 ha (out of approx 514.2 ha) of the reserve forests for their livelihoods, while the forest department estimated that only about 60-70 ha is meaningfully used by the people of Kobsadera.

Mahua also known as ‘mohulo’ in the local language has been an integral part of the tribal community and figures prominently in social and cultural aspects of life. It also is an important source of livelihood for the tribal community in India. Because of its value in the life of the community, they are also keen conservator of the tree.

Mahua (Madhuca indica) provides food for the people and livestock and its bark, fruit and flower is used by the tribal community in their quest for survival. While the flower is used to make local brew and sold to local distilleries, oil from the seed is extracted for consumption by the local community.

Another important tree is the Kendu (Diospyros Melanoxylon), also called the ‘green gold’ of Odisha, is very significant tree for the tribal community. The leaves & fruits are of particular interest and provides for livelihoods for many families. Kendu leaf is used extensively for the production of ‘beedi’ – the leaves rolled with tobacco and tied with thin threads. The leaves are plucked by the locals, tied in bundles and sun dried before selling them to the Odisha forest development department. Interestingly, the Odisha forest department has a Kendu leaf division that regulates the sale of kendu leaf- this goes to prove how commercially important this is.

Sal (Shorea robusta) leaves are used for making plates also called ‘khalli patra’ in Odiya (the local language. These leaves fetch a meager amount to the tribal community but are a source of income to many households. These leaf plates are not only environment friendly (bio-degradable) but are also hygienic and doesn’t need maintenance.

NTFP items	Approx. quantity in Kg	Approx. value in rupees
Mahua flowers	160 quintals	Rs. 14 per kg/ Rs 1400 per quintal = Rs. 224000
Kendu leaf	400 quintal	Rs. 1400/quintal = Rs. 560000
Sal leaf products		Khalli (Plate) -Rs. 15/100 nos; Danna (bowl) – Rs. 12/100 nos Rs 6300
Badhoon (broom made of local grass)	50 nos x 10 HH = 500	Rs 15 per piece = Rs 7500

Timber is harvested by the villagers for the construction and repair of houses and agricultural implements which is for subsistence needs. About 50-60 kg of fuel food is collected and used by each household per day to meet their energy requirements.

Forest for life- facing the challenges

With increasing population and increasing demand on natural resources, development has taken over these forests, reducing their size and affecting the lives of the community directly dependent on them.

The adjoining reserve forests of Phuljhari Khaman cover about 514.143 ha. This dry deciduous forest, as mentioned by the Annand Bihari Patel, Range officer, Rengali block, is 100% degraded and is covered under the rehabilitation working circle, under which tending operations – climber cutting, pruning, singling, gap planting are regularly undertaken. To enrich the area, soil and water conservation work is also undertaken by building staggered trench along the contour, and loose bolder check dams. Pruning operations and half-moon trench work is undertaken in the Bamboo rich areas of the forest.

Though the villagers also agree that the forests have degraded over a period of time, yet they would say only about 30% of the forest is under various forms of degradation. According to the villagers, the forest is greatly impacted by massive felling of trees which is ruled by the wood mafias. Under the condition of anonymity, a forest guard confides “the local villagers (tribal) help the smugglers in identifying and cutting of the timber from the forest as they are well acquainted with the area”. Forest officials also mentioned that there are some locals who are helping the mafia/ timber smugglers for some additional benefits and so addressing the issues is a big challenge.

Furthermore, use of forest fire for clearing of the forest floor to collect Mahua flowers and to have new and tender kendu leaf has hampered the undergrowth of the forests in the Phuljhari-Khaman reserve forests. Interestingly, the forest fires are only recorded to have occurred in the month of march, which is again not a dry season to set off natural forests fires.  While the villagers blame the forest department for the forest fires, the forest department puts the blame back on the villagers, but the end result has been degraded forests. Repeated fires has not only impacted the variety of tree species and wildlife, but has reduced the water table in the area. Recounts Gibardhan Mirdha, a man in his mid ages, “the stream used to flow so smooth and full when I was a child, but now it seems like a trickle. We don’t even have enough to water our land”.

Additionally, overgrazing by goats and cattle has left the forest floors barren of undergrowth. The records by the Forest department shows a dense spread of Amla trees in the area, yet the area now seemed bereft of these particular tree species, a claim that is also seconded by the villagers of Kobsadera.


With degraded forests, the wildlife has been severely impacted. Bears, elephants, Sambhar, Hare, Tigers, monkey, spotted deer, wild boar, jackal and porcupines inhabited the forests. But now as Forest departments takes note, only elephants and monkey are found in the area.

The Forest department agrees that there are a lot of issues pertaining to the management of the forests in the area, but with increased awareness on the value of forests and forest produce, there has been a support by the villagers to conserve the natural resources, for example - the villagers, by providing timely information and further supported by regular monitoring by the Forest department, reduced the timber smuggling by more than 60%. Praising the community participation in managing the forest resources, Patel said ‘village sanrakshan samitis’ has been formed and are effective. Howsoever, the village sanrakshan samiti is yet to be created in Kobsaderba, but will be done soon, assured the range officer, Rengali block. Tulsi ballav Dash, having worked very closely with the villagers of Kobsadera and the forest department believes that “community forest is needed to provide subsistence to the people and through ownership will build the confidence of the people to conserve these resources”. He further emphasizes on the need for increased awareness on ‘Forests Rights Acts’.

Though the NGO-MASS, has been educating the tribal villagers about their rights under the Forests Rights Act, yet the villagers seemed not very convinced about their rights and claims on the forest areas. This is essentially due to the complicated procedures and the antagonism of the concerned departments (revenue inspector in particular). As a result, neither individual claims nor community claims have been submitted from the village. Mami Pradhan, the 29 year old woman Sarpanpanch of Tamperkela panchayat observes “FRA is good and will give land to the tribal community, but awareness about its benefits needs to be shared widely”. The forest department and the revenue department cautions against the mis-utilisation of the act leading to encroachments and misappropriation of forest land that will eventually lead to reduced forest cover.

Joint Forests Management, an initiative of the Government of India that provides for a public-community partnership for conservation of forests and forest produce has really not reached this particular village. In this area JFMC were created as early as 1996, but slowly faded in 1999 as people stopped participating in the meetings (of JFMC) due loss of trust in the forest department due to inaction and not sharing of data/information post decisions. The villagers didn’t see much gain from the JFMCs. In 2008, a Village Forest Committee (VFC) was formed in Kobsadera, that comprised of one forest officer and twelve villagers. VFC placed greater and direct responsibility on the villagers, making them accountable as well.

The Range officer, Patel observes that in prevailing situation, “in view of all the exiting problems and challenges regarding forest land and forest resources, JFMC is the only way to promote forest conservation and management. Revenue department, police, panchayat, villager leaders can come together to discuss the issues and overcome the problems”.

Villagers and the civil society would have entirely different JFMCs in the area. In their opinion “after assessment of the JFMCs, community forestry seems to be a plausible way forward for poverty alleviation in the areas dominated by tribal community.” Sarpanch Mami Pradhan is of the view that “ownership and management should be with the villagers and the panchayat for better (effective and efficient) management of the forests”.

Even though there are quite a few government schemes available for poverty alleviation, yet this village benefits only from larger projects like MNREGS (30 households) and the PDS (54 households).  There is no aganwadi centre in the village but there is a centre in the adjoining village of Langbahal. The post office is situated at Tamperkela, the panchayat headquarters.  Electricity has arrived in the village. Though there is no telephone landline in the village, yet some of the new generation youth carry mobile phones.

In case of illness the villagers first consult the traditional healers and then proceed to the government health centre for additional relief. In the recent past there has been no death under the age of 5 years. For pregnancy and child birth they go to Public health centre at Laida, about 22 kms from the village. Some also go to Sambalpur hospital in case of complications. Children are vaccinated by government female health worker. Malaria and skin diseases are major health problem. Dispensary is located at a distance of about15 kms. For emergency and they then go to Sambalpur for treatment.

There is a primary school in the village where the children are also provided mid-day meals but it is not serving the purpose as there are very few teachers. For higher classes they have to walk or cycle almost 8-10 kms to the higher secondary school. The drop-out rates are quite high and boys seldom make it beyond the higher secondary (10^th standard). Going to a college has been a dream for many in the village. Howsoever, the 2 girls of Siriya have completed college. Saudamini, Siriya’s 20 yr old daughter, who completed her college recently feels “there are not much opportunities around”, but she hopes to be a teacher one day.

The young men, about 4, have also ventured far to Mumbai in search of employment and have sent money home and supported their families in the village. Some others have worked as wage labourers in the nearby road construction projects probably under MNREGS. Though there are few industries coming up in the nearby areas, yet the youth seem apprehensive about working there. A young man, who couldn’t make it beyond the school level and is now ploughing his fields, comments “we don’t have many needs, so our requirements are fulfilled by the forest and the little patch of land we cultivate on”.

While the men and women gathered to share their story, it was interesting to note that though they were almost economically at par with each other, men were a bit higher in social echelon.  On the cultural front where men and women participated as equals, there are about 1-2 ceremonies that is completely men oriented. Overall the community was more egalitarian and compassionate to each other.

CONCLUSION:

With 54 families below the poverty line (BPL) and only 8 households above the poverty line (APL), much desires to be done in this particular village of Kobsadera. Though there are multiple schemes introduced by the government yet not a trickle reaches to this community who are then forced to depend entirely on the forests for existence.

In order to conserve the forests and provide for adequate livelihoods options, community forestry seems to be a viable option. Growing of frees and proper marketing of forest produce will directly benefit the villagers and enable them to have sustainable livelihoods. Further water conservation and water management projects will not only provide for drinking water but also provide water for the crops. “NTFP activities like bee keeping and honey harvesting, and other skill up-gradation should be promoted” suggests Mami Pradhan.

While the traditional communities like the villagers of Kobsadera depend extensively on the forest resources, they are more sustainable in their needs and desires. While some practices may lead to variance with the environment due to climate change and the legal & policy measures, yet with ownership, awareness and adaptiveness, the local community would be the true custodians of our forests, the river and the wilderness! 


April 2011