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Study on Mahua Sub Sector - Cgsird.gov.in

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Scheduled Tribes and other traditi<strong>on</strong>al forest dwellers across the country collect and sell a<br />

range of forest produces to earn a liv<strong>in</strong>g. Forest produces not <strong>on</strong>ly commands a large<br />

share but also a critical element <strong>in</strong> their livelihood basket. The tim<strong>in</strong>g and the cash<br />

yield<strong>in</strong>g nature of a large number of forest produces make it an <strong>in</strong>dispensable part of their<br />

life. The <strong>in</strong>come from forest produces goes as <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> agriculture, serves as the risk<br />

hedg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>strument <strong>in</strong> crop loss years, meets requirements of health emergencies and<br />

major c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> expenditures like clothes and festivals.<br />

India has about 16000 recorded plant species. Of these 3000 yield m<strong>in</strong>or forest<br />

produces(MFPs). Nearly 100 milli<strong>on</strong> tribals and other forest dwellers of the country<br />

depend <strong>on</strong> MFPs for sustenance and as a supplement to their <strong>in</strong>come. 55 per cent of the<br />

employment <strong>in</strong> the forestry sector is attributed to MFP sub sector. MFP based small scale<br />

enterprises account for upto 50 pc of <strong>in</strong>come for 20-30 per cent of rural labour force <strong>in</strong><br />

India. Over 50 pc of the revenues earned by the state forest departments comes from<br />

MFPs and the growth <strong>in</strong> revenues from MFPs is 40 pc higher than timber. MFPs<br />

c<strong>on</strong>stitute 56-75 pc of the total export of forest products. Studies <strong>in</strong> Madhya Pradesh<br />

<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand revealed that 17 pc of<br />

landless are dependent <strong>on</strong> MFP collecti<strong>on</strong> as daily wage labourer and 39 pc are <strong>in</strong>volved<br />

<strong>in</strong> MFP collecti<strong>on</strong> as a subsidiary occupati<strong>on</strong>. <strong>Mahua</strong> flower is <strong>on</strong>e of the top five m<strong>in</strong>or<br />

forest produces <strong>in</strong> the country.<br />

Madhuca l<strong>on</strong>gifolia, comm<strong>on</strong>ly known as mahua, is a tropical tree found largely <strong>in</strong> the<br />

central and north Indian pla<strong>in</strong>s and forests. It is a fast grow<strong>in</strong>g tree that grows to<br />

approximately 20 meters <strong>in</strong> height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage. It is<br />

adapted to arid envir<strong>on</strong>ments, be<strong>in</strong>g a prom<strong>in</strong>ent tree <strong>in</strong> tropical mixed deciduous forests<br />

<strong>in</strong> India <strong>in</strong> the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,<br />

Kerala, Gujarat and Orissa. Outside India, it is found <strong>in</strong> Sri Lanka and doubtfully <strong>in</strong><br />

Myanmar(Burma).<br />

It is cultivated <strong>in</strong> warm and humid regi<strong>on</strong>s for its oleag<strong>in</strong>ous seeds, flowers and wood.<br />

The oil(solid at ambient temperature) extracted from its seeds is used for the care of the<br />

sk<strong>in</strong>, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. It can also be used as a<br />

fuel oil. The product is often used <strong>in</strong> sweets and chocolates. The seed cakes obta<strong>in</strong>ed after<br />

extracti<strong>on</strong> of oil c<strong>on</strong>stitute very good fertilizer. The flowers are used to produce an<br />

alcoholic dr<strong>in</strong>k. Several parts of the tree, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the bark, are used for their medic<strong>in</strong>al<br />

properties. It is c<strong>on</strong>sidered holy by many tribal communities because of its usefulness.<br />

Table 1: <strong>Mahua</strong>: An Introducti<strong>on</strong>

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