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 (10th
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
