Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

The importance of forest-based livelihood can be ascertained in the followingparagraph, which was written in the Dhenkanal District Gazetteer (Page no. 170)."Large quantities of edible fruits, shoots and roots are available in forests. Theseconstitute the main food of poor people in times of scarcity. Bamboo shootsprovide food for the tribal people for several months. +++ Large number ofpeople get daily employment in forests in felling of trees and bamboos, transportof forest produce, plucking of Kendu leaves, and in various other forestexploitation work. Forests, therefore, wield considerable influence on theeconomic life of the people."• Restriction over Collection of ForestProducts:However, after 1990's at different periodof time the wildlife authorities have putrestriction over collection of forestproducts, which has not only denied thenatural rights of the local people but alsoturned thousands of the families sociallyinsure inside the sanctuary.Bamboo Production (1988 to 1996)inside the Sanctuary AreaAccording to the Mr. Prasana Mishra,1996 460250 170000 3292Conveynor of Satakosiya Avayaranya 'O'(Source: OFDC, Angul)Praja Surakhya Samiti, though the areawas declared as sanctuary in 1976, there was no restriction over collection offorest products like Kendu Leaf, Sal Leaf, Sal Seed, Siali leaf, edible tubers, fuelwood etc., from the forests till 1992. For the first time in 1992, bamboo operationwas stopped. After rally and demonstration by the local people, the wildlifedivision allowed bamboo-harvesting upto 1996. Finally from 1997, bambooharvestingoperation was stopped as a result of which 5000 families who used toget at least 8 months (October to May) of work were rendered jobless. AccordingYearIndustrialBamboo (inbundles)Commercial Bamboo(in pieces)Salia Dhaba1988 738150 270227 40591989 542300 315651 139191990 598400 319953 7881991 543000 235725 8251992 537750 313272 11601993 443500 246000 8391994 566100 239861 33051995 297700 172000 154087