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

surveyed villages but due to the pressure from Sanctuary authorities the process <strong>of</strong> settlementwas a<strong>ban</strong>doned. Further in 1997-98 the then Collector once again invited applications from theinhabitants <strong>of</strong> un-surveyed villages and landless families <strong>of</strong> revenue villages, which raised anumber <strong>of</strong> questions in regards to the status <strong>of</strong> Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary. According to theDFO, state government has instituted Sunabeda Plateau as Sunabeda Widlife Sanctuary under section 18 <strong>of</strong>WLP Act, 1972 on 26 th July 1983 (vide Notification No. 16045-FFAH) and finally notified as Sanctuaryunder section 26(A) <strong>of</strong> WLP Act 1972 on 10 th May 1988 (vide Notification No. 10772-FFAH). Underthis situation pattas cannot be issued inside the sanctuary area.But the opinion <strong>of</strong> revenue department authorities completely differs from that <strong>of</strong> the forest<strong>of</strong>ficials. According to Revenue department, since there are 64 villages existing within thesanctuary, it automatically comes under the jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> the revenue department and therevenue department is the only competent authority to settle Govt. land in favor <strong>of</strong> applicantsfrom revenue and un-surveyed as the process <strong>of</strong> right settlement as required under section 19 to25 <strong>of</strong> WLP <strong>of</strong> 1972 has not completed. The revenue department had asked for a copy <strong>of</strong> final notification<strong>of</strong> the sanctuary to the forest department but failed to get the same. The revenue department had received around197 applications for homestead land and 63 applications for settlement <strong>of</strong> agricultural land from four villagesnamely Rupiam, Katingpani, Gatibeda and Deosil”. As said by the Collector, Mr Bishnupad Sethi thevillages, which are being recognized as encroached villages by the Wildlife authority, has been inexistence since centuries and proposals for settlement is pending before the Board <strong>of</strong> Revenue.Most <strong>of</strong> these villages have substantial human population and almost 90% <strong>of</strong> them (more thanage <strong>of</strong> 18) are included in the voters list. “How can their rights be denied and the settlements be consideredas illegal encroachments?”Till date, the issue has not been resolved but recently in a local daily there was news about thearea saying that eviction notice has been served to these villages as per the Supreme courts’order.• Restrictions Over Collection and Selling <strong>of</strong> Forest Products Severely Affecting the Lives& Livelihood <strong>of</strong> around 6000 Families:There are 62 villages inside the sanctuary. The total population is around 22000 as per the 1991census. Majority <strong>of</strong> population belongs to Scheduled Tribe (around 87%) and comprises <strong>of</strong>Gond, Bhunjia and Paharia tribes. Though the Paharias are not <strong>of</strong>ficially considered asScheduled Tribe in Orissa but, they have been included in the list <strong>of</strong> Scheduled Tribe in theneighboring Chattisgarh state.For these people <strong>NTFP</strong>s like Mahul, Kendu leaves, Char, Amala, Harida, Bahada, Sal leaves etc.provided significant income. On an average <strong>NTFP</strong>s ensured 6-7 months <strong>of</strong> livelihood security tothese families. Abundance <strong>of</strong> varieties <strong>of</strong> <strong>NTFP</strong> and their proper processing at the householdlevel had helped to grow a traditionally well developed market over the years in some <strong>of</strong> the31