NTFP WorkingCircle

124Chapter VNTFP WORKING CIRCLE137. General: Other than the maintenance of MPCA area at Kulamavu and the Demo garden aKanchiyar, there is hardly any activities in this circle.The Medicinal Plants Conservation area (MPCA) Kulamavu: This MPCA was created under aprogramme supported FRLHT, Bangalore in 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) wassigned between the Forest Department of Kerala and FRLHT on 3.7.1993, according to which anassurance was given by the Department to create and sustain the MPCAs on a long term basis beyondthe Project period and also to stop/prohibit all operations in the area other than those specified in theMPCA programme. The MPCA Kulamavu is the VIII th MPCA in Kerala created vide order No. P1-41360/89 dated 8.9.1999 of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Developments & Projects).The MPCA was established in view of the medicinal plant potential of the region, speciallycharacterized by the presence of the ‘Maramanjal’ (Coscinum fenestratum). This is having an extentof 215 ha situated in Kulamavu at a distance of about 2 Km from Kulamavu dam on the right side ofthe Kulamavu-Painavu road at a distance of 14 km towards Painavu. The geographical location is 9°48’ N Latitude & 76° 53’ E Longitude, covered in SI Sheet No. 58C/13. The altitude is between 750-790 M above MSL. Altogether 181 species of medicinal plants are identified within the MPCA. Thelist of Medicinal plants found in the area is given in Appendix XX.The Medicinal Demo-garden at Kanchiar: A medicinal demo garden was raised in the Range OfficeCompound of Ayyappancoil at Kanchiar in the year 2003. About 750 numbers of seedlings wereplanted in an area of 1.00 ha. About 300 numbers of seedlings were raised in pots also. Altogether250 species of medicinal plants are there. Nameplates with description are displayed. Students andother people visit the demo garden. There is an information centre constructed in the area.138. Distribution of the area Currently, the Scheduled Tribe Co-operative Society at Vazhathoppedoes the NTFP collection from Ayyappancoil and Nagarampara Ranges. The Tribal Co-operativeSociety at Kosadi collects the NTFP from Erumeli Range. The NTFP collection in Kumily Range isstopped since 2002 – 03 due to the pilferage chances from Periyar W.L.Sanctuary and also due to thefact that only CHR and Vested Forests are there in Kumily Range. The NTFP collection is withoutlevying any charges as per the prevailing practice in the State. These Societies appoint their collectionagents. The current collection practices may not be sustainable. The collection through the agentsresults in exploitation of the tribals in weight and prices.

125The collection details of NTFPs from 1996 – 97 to 2003 – 04 is given in Table No.51.Table No.51 Collection details of NTFPsSlNoName1996-97 (Kg)1997-98 (Kg)1998-99 (Kg)1999-00 (Kg)2000-01 (Kg)2001-02 (Kg)2002-03 (Kg)2003-04 (Kg)1.Shathavarikizhangu5049 860 2600 5000 160 12502. Karimkurinji 3836 2950 6870 13300 17450 17506 8450 96003. Thelli 2480 1336 5030 1215 2513 100 8224. Kumizh 725 40605. Pachottitholi 4050 6927 3900 233 6640 1000 4100 40806. Maramanjal 156 240 9457. Putharichunda 920 620 35008. Thannikka 16409. Peenari 1156 1000 3800 60 800 500 162010. Chittaratha 41611. Cherutheak 73612. Plashu 117913. Kattukodi 180 1300 525014. Pathripoovu 52 133 18015. Incha 450 100016. Thenmezhuku 181 2900 14 2017. Honey 4 1109 600 600 105018. Pattinja 450 744.9 1000 50019. Kasthoorimanjal 270 500 300 800 480 4020. Cheevakkai 1040 4000 763 170 2829 3500 230021. Pathiripoovu 183 450 100 162 1870 200 7022. Kattukurumulaku 3023. Soppukkai 500 30024. Manjakkoova 510.15 185 322 22025. Makkumkaya 256 61526. Urumbika 100027. Orila,Moovila 150 12028. Kolinji 528 277 2529. Thalikkaya 256030. Kurunthottiveru 520 438.5 56031. Kumizhin veru 1702 367 1000 3000 300032.PaalputhakkinKizhangu22033. Cherutheaku veru 282 750 285034. Kodikkoova veru 15035. Adalodaka veru 10036. Idampiri – 100

126SlNoName1996-97 (Kg)1997-98 (Kg)1998-99 (Kg)1999-00 (Kg)2000-01 (Kg)2001-02 (Kg)2002-03 (Kg)2003-04 (Kg)Valampiri37. Cardamom 750 98 375 17038. Kattukodi veru 7500 35039. Kudampuli 336 25040. Pynumpoovu 2.9041. Kunthirikkam 765 26042.PutharichundaVeru2000 2600 100043.Kattukurumulakveru1350 450 300There is a need to regulate the collection of NTFPs in a sustainable manner with the maximumbenefit to the tribal communities. The exploitation of tribals could be prevented by formation of tribalVSSs and entrusting the NTFP management as enuntiated in the G.O. (Rt) No.40/2001/F&WLD (G)dated 02.02.01. Alternately the collection can be entrusted with the fringe area VSSs having sizabletribal population. The required trainings should be imparted on sustainable collection techniques.139. Management prescriptions: The MPCA Kulamavu should be actively protected from fire,grazing and NTFP collections during the Plan period. The area should be excluded from the NTFPcollections while giving the license. The medicinal demo – garden at Kanchiyar should be maintainedwith the timely improvements. The regeneration of perennial herbs and shrubs of medicinal value andraising of mixed plantations of trees having MFP and medicinal values are approved activities underthe National Afforestation Programme, which should be carried out under the PFM Working Circle.