Impact of NTFP ban on the lives and livelihood of the ... - Vasundhara

item especially after monsoons. Leafy vegetables like Barada, Bhadalia are decreasing with theincrease in number <strong>of</strong> sheep and goat, respondents claimed. As cited by the villagers not only thatthey are facing difficulties in making a living from <strong>NTFP</strong>s but also that <strong>of</strong>ten, they have to make theforest guards happy by bribing them with petty money for being allowed to collect forest productseven for their self-consumption. Further, people are also debarred from cultivating lands under theiroccupation within the sanctuary thus, putting a severe blow to their livelihood sources.While on one hand, income <strong>of</strong> the villagers from agriculture is not promising; on the other,complete loss <strong>of</strong> forest income since last five years has made the people extremely vulnerable. Underthis situation, the villagers are facing immense difficulties in meeting their basic requirements <strong>of</strong>food, clothing, education and health.Other restrictions:Along with restrictions on collection <strong>of</strong> <strong>NTFP</strong>s, people are also stopped from grazing their cattle,beating drums during celebration <strong>of</strong> functions and marriage, playing radio and loudspeaker.On the other hand, all developmental works within the sanctuary area has been stopped. As narratedby the villagers <strong>of</strong> Gochhabari which falls under Badasillinga Gram Panchayat, houses have beensanctioned to the people under the Indira Awas Yojna but the Forest Department does not allow tocarry bricks and sand for construction <strong>of</strong> the houses. Neither the Forest Department repairs theroads leading to the village nor does it allow the Panchayat to do so. In every Panchayat, 10 lakhshas been sanctioned for construction <strong>of</strong> black tar road by the DRDA but FD has refused it and hasgiven permission for only morrum metal road.Access to information:Though the declaration <strong>of</strong> Sanctuary dates back to 1980-81, most <strong>of</strong> the villagers reiterated that theybecame aware about this few years back only. It was during post 2000 period when the peoplestarted experiencing different kinds <strong>of</strong> restrictions imposed by the wildlife <strong>of</strong>ficials, it came to theirnotice that the area is a wildlife sanctuary. However according to few others they came to knowabout the same during 90’s from the neighboring people and in the later period when they witnesseda signboard <strong>of</strong> the sanctuary installed in the gate. The villagers complained that they were keptuninformed about the declaration process. Neither, did they remember about any government<strong>of</strong>ficials educating them about the sanctuary status <strong>of</strong> the region in the past.When asked about their perception/understanding about the sanctuary, the response was to them asanctuary meant the following:• Ban on tree felling• No hunting• No cultivation <strong>of</strong> low-lying lands and,• more importantly no entry to forest area19