Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

to the GM of OFDC (Orissa Forest Development Corporation) Bamboo collectionand trading has been nationalized in 1988. Prior to that Titagarh Paper Mill(locally known as TPM) was harvesting bamboo from the area. From 1988 to 1996they harvested a total of 4727150 bundles of industrial bamboo (Each bundlecarries 21 pieces of salia bamboo) in an average of 525238 bundles per year.Similarly during this period (1988 to 1996) they had created more than 5 lakhmandays and paid an amount of Rs. 15,452,575 towards wages excluding the costof rice, oil, and cereals only in case of harvesting of the industrial bamboos.Apart from the industrial bamboo every year they used to harvest commercialbamboos to cater the domestic need. Further he said that in an average a familyused to earn Rs. 4000 to 5000 in a harvest season, which was a crucial income fora poor family. In a harvesting year (October to May) they used to create morethan 200 employment days and in a day around 2000 to 2500 laborers wereengaged in cutting of bamboos.Kendu Leaves:After stopping of bamboo operation in 1996, in the year 2000 the authorities ofSatkosiya wildlife division closed all the kendu leaf phadis inside the sanctuaryarea. There were about 11 phadis where 1053 families from 23 villages used todepend for selling of the collected kendu leaves. According to a woman ofTarava village in a Kendu leaf season, she could easily earn around 500 to 600rupees within a period of 25 days. Further, she added that during the leansummer season, when there was no source of employment, this much of incomewas very much important for them.According to the Range officer,Purunagarh Kendu leaf Range, kenduleaf was a major source of income for thepoor families, especially for the womenresiding inside the sanctuary. He saidthat on an average one family used toearn more than 500 rupees. During theProduction of Kendu Leaf in DifferentYears inside the SanctuaryYearTotalKerryCost perKerryTotalCost2000 3605850 0.16 576,9361999 4049080 0.15 607,3621997 3883250 0.12 465,99088