Bamboo in Orissa: Trade and Livelihood Perspective - Vasundhara

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All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in Working of bamboo forests were required to be as per the prescriptions in the Working Plans. For some time, there used to be a difference in the method of working of salia and daba forests. While salia forests were worked under 3 to 4 year felling cycles, daba forests were usually worked on selection basis. However, in view of the impracticability of carrying out selection fellings properly, the Forest Department proposed to introduce clear felling of daba forests under a 10-year felling cycle (Govt of Orissa 1939, Annual Progress Report on Forest Administration in the Province of Orissa: 1937-38, p.14). As observed by the Forest Enquiry Committee, sustenance of paper mills was recognised by the government as a matter of national interest, but at the same time it was not to be acknowledged at the cost of the local interest (of tenants) 2 . Hence, although long term leases were granted to the paper mills, the lease-holders were legally bound to supply the genuine requirements of the tenants from their leased areas against payment of felling and supervision charges(to be fixed by the government) (Govt of Orissa 1959, Report of the Forest Enquiry Committee, p.30). M/S. Orient Paper Mill (Brajarajnagar), the first paper mill of Orissa; and M/S. Bird & Heilgers & Co. were among the few major lease-holders of bamboo in the state since the pre-independence period. In late 1950s, long- term leases had been allowed to five paper mills. However, the lease-holders, along with the tenants, were often found to unscientifically exploit the resource; and hence the Forest Enquiry Committee recommended for ensuring working of all bamboo forests on coupe system, and also for the imposition of effective control on the removal of bamboo (Govt of Orissa 1959, op.cit., pp.30-31). Provision for tenants in general Since pre-independence period, removal of bamboo from the Protected Forests was allowed in lieu of payment at the schedule of rates. This system was particularly useful when the tenants required a quantity beyond what was allowed to them 'free of cost' in lieu of an annual forest cess. These rates varied from time to time and also from area to area. The Schedule of Rate of Forest Produce Rules,1977 specified the following rates for bamboo in different forest divisions of Orissa: Species Forest Divisions(old) Rate in rupees per 100 pieces Ghumsur North and South,Balliguda,Puri,Nayagarh, 6.45 Salia Parlakhemundi,Angul,Dhenkanal,Athgarh,Keonjhar,Baripada, Karanjia,Jeypore,Navarangpur,Rayagada,Bolangir, Sundargarh 2 In 1943-44, the Nuakheta RF of Angul Division, formerly under lease, was excluded from the lease-holders' area for meeting tenant's demands (Govt of Orissa undated, Annual Progress Report on Forest Administration in the Province of Orissa: 1943-44, p.13). 11
All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in Daba Phulbani, Deogarh,Bonai, ,Rairakhol, Bamra, Sambalpur, Kalahandi and Khariar Ghumsur North and South,Balliguda,Puri,Nayagarh, Parlakhemundi,Angul,Dhenkanal,Athgarh,Keonjhar,Baripada, Karanjia,Jeypore,Navarangpur,Rayagada,Bolangir, Sundargarh 4.30 8.60 Phulbani, Deogarh, Bonai, Rairakhol, Bamra, Sambalpur, 6.45 Kalahandi and Khariar (based on Ray,P.K. 2003, Law of Forests in Orissa,pp.807-08). The above table indicates that parts of undivided Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Phulbani and Kalahandi districts had subsidised rates for both the species. The basis of this disparity in rates is not clear though abundance/scarcity of the resources may be a factor. During the pre-nationalization period , the paper mills did not cut and supply long bamboo for tenants use; and the Forest Department used to issue permits to the tenants for their bonafide use as per the schedule of rate(Pathak A.K.2004, Bamboo Operations: Field Realities, paper presented at a workshop organised at Bhubaneswar in April 2004). However, OFDC did not always follow the above schedule since in view of the increasing cost of production the 'old' schedule did not appear to be commercially acceptable. Hence, OFDC fixed different rates(like, Rs.3.50 to 6.50 per piece) so that the bamboo could be sold at least on 'no loss, no profit' basis. As per Fire Relief Instructions on 1972, free grant of bamboo(where available) for the fireaffected persons would be one cart-load(100 salia or 25 daba bamboos) for one-roomed hut and two cart loads for two-roomed hut(Pathak A.K. 2004, op.cit.). Provision for artisans During British period, the sale of salia bamboos on permits, in respect of culms under one year's age, was confined to the basket-makers (Govt of Orissa 1940, Annual Progress Report on Forest Administration in the Province of Orissa: 1938-39, p.13). In Angul Division, they were allowed to take bamboo from tenant's coupes at concessional rates. In Pal-lahra (ex-)state, the basket-maker Juangs were not charged any fee for their exploitation of bamboo from A-class Reserve Forests as per the Forest Enquiry Report(Govt of Orissa 1959, op.cit., pp.112,125), but noted anthropologist V.Elwin found these poor artisans actually paying eight annas(equivalent to individual's income from basketry in 16 days) in lieu of this permission(Elwin 2002 reprint, The Tribal World of Verrier Elwin, p.173). In 1980 the Govt of Orissa promulgated specific rules to safeguard the interest of the bamboo artisans. These rules, otherwise known as The Supply of Bamboos to Artisans including Co-operative Societies(Orissa) Rules,1980 have the following salient features: 12
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