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 Bamboo IB CB Target 24800 SU 1750 SU Achievement 15798 SU 24 (63.7%) 297 SU(16.97%) (vide proceedings of the meeting of the Emp. Committee held on 6.11.04) In 2005(2004-05), the RMPs managed somehow to more or less achieve their target in most places; but their production(vide annexure-7) could have been significantly higher had their operations could begin much earlier. In fact, they could not work in some areas, as their manpower was not sufficient to handle so many areas simultaneously within this short period. For instance, in Nayagarh Division the potentiality of Khandapara region could not be utilized. Besides, the RMPs reportedly experienced a very tough time while starting the operations, and some of their bitter experiences regarding the policy of the government and the approach of the Forest Department might affect their decision on continuing their work as RMPs in the coming years. With the decision of the Govt of India to give a major boost to the production and utilisation of bamboo in the country, the government of Orissa has reportedly submitted a plan for a 100-crore project so that by ensuring better production and trade of bamboo, the state could earn about Rs.2000 crores annually from this source as against Rs.26000 crores for the whole country(The Samaj, 5-12-03, p.3). Some experts believe that the production of bamboo falls every fourth year. Accordingly, 1990-91 was projected to be a fall year and the production that year was expected to be not more than 2.05 lakh SU. However, the recorded production that year turned out to be 2.13 lakh SU of IB, plus 5644.21 SU of CB. Cultivation and plantation: Cultivation of bamboo is not a new thing in Orissa. Even some silvicultural practices did exist in this regard because in his book ‘Hindustan’ published in 1820, Hamilton described how people of Hindol and Talcher (ex-)states used to grow longer culms of bamboo by tying the strongest shoots to stakes driven into ground, so that the shoots could grow straight (Vasundhara 2000, op.cit., p.49). Rural people of the state have small scale or scattered plantations in their private lands; but large scale cultivation under private initiative is not known. In Khunta-Udala area, which supplies considerable quantity of tenants’ bamboo, bamboo is not cultivated on agricultural lands; but was rather grown primarily for fencing purposes along the boundaries or in the backyard for own use. In the recent past however, various organisations have started facilitating this kind of large scale cultivation particularly by private parties and communities. For instance, Orissa State Farmers Development Co-operative Ltd. announced a training programme for this purpose, in 2003(The Dharitri,22-9-03). 24 The revised figure is 15623.52 SU. 49
All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in The Nayagarh Jilla Jungala Surakshya Mahasangha(district level federation of forest protecting committees) distributed bamboo propagules to some villagers in the district. For instance, in Pokhara near Mahipur about 200 plants of salia were distributed for plantation in about 3 acres of village common land. However, such initiatives of the Mahasangha has not been very successful in meeting the objective particularly due to lack of sincerity on the part of concerned villagers (per comm.., Sri Kailash Ch. Sahu). 11-year old plantation of salia with spacing 5 metre x 5 metre has been found to be more profitable than rubber and cashew (Wagh & Rajput 1991, quoted in Seethalakshi and Muktesh Kumar 1998, p.136). In Orissa, large-scale plantations of salia are however unknown from private areas and whatever exists is normally owned by the Forest Department. Commercial cultivation of sundarkani is common in the state, particularly in the coastal areas, though not found on a large scale. Planted with a spacing of 5 metres x 5 metres, an acre of sundarkani plantation is estimated to generate a net income of Rs.20000/annum after the 5th year, and Rs.40000 after the 10th year. The plantation will last for about 30 years (Mohanty T.L., op.cit.). Successful private cultivation: a case study In Khandapara area of Nayagarh district, there are 5 cultivators of bamboo and the total area under bamboo cultivation is about 15 acres. Abhimanyu Pradhan happens to be the leading cultivator of bamboo in the area having about 4 acres under this cultivation (about 200 clumps). Agriculture is his main source of income and bamboo fetches him around Rs.12000/- per year out of a total income of about Rs.30000. The net income from bamboo is more or less Rs.6000 since he spends almost an equal amount for using chemical fertilizers, etc.. Since last 12 years he is in this business, and is able to supply 3 truckloads of long bamboo (out of total 7 truckloads from Khandapara area) to betel farmers and tent houses. Salia is the dominant species and he prefers it as the bamboo is known for its strength. However, he has also planted sundarkani and daba because sundarkani is preferred in various circles, and daba is difficult to be stolen by thieves. The average sale price of salia, sundarkani and daba culms is Rs.7, Rs.45-50 and Rs.40 per piece(long bamboo). Felling is done every year in a selective manner and only mature culms are sold. Young shoots are provided extra support so that they do not get deformed, and grow straight. Tent house people take few pieces and hence arrange on their own for the cutting of the culms, whereas betel farm suppliers pay in advance the cutting charges @Rs.50/person/day. Two persons can cut 100 to 150 culms of salia in a day, but only 20 to 25 pieces of daba during the same time as the thorns create problem (per comm.). The Forest Department has created both pure and mixed bamboo plantations. Currently two schemes are being implemented, viz., FDA(Forest Development Agency) and RLTAP(Revised Long Term Action Plan for KBK Districts). About 421.5 hectare pure 50
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Bamboo in Orissa: Trade and Livelihood Perspective - Vasundhara

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