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

In the year 2003, 134 households from Kermili, Pethiapalli, Tileimal, Golabndha undertook KLplucking activity and a total <strong>of</strong> 3,05,750 Kerries <strong>of</strong> leaves (1 Kerry consists <strong>of</strong> 20 leaves) worth <strong>of</strong>Rs. 64,203 (calculated at the existing price @ 21 paisa per 20 leaves) were collected however, thepluckers are yet to receive their payment since all the leaves from these villages were seized byDFO. This has resulted in loss <strong>of</strong> average Rs. 500 to a tribal household, which forms one <strong>of</strong> themost important cash incomes particularly during the lean season when other livelihood earningavenues are scarce and the block where 87% <strong>of</strong> the total population is below poverty line.Similarly, the Pharias whose traditional occupation is bamboo weaving, also lost their source <strong>of</strong>income due to the restriction over collection <strong>of</strong> bamboo.• Restrictions on Implementation <strong>of</strong> Developmental Work:These contradictions have also affected the people and development <strong>of</strong> the area adversely. Manydevelopment programmes executed through the Gram Panchayat have been obstructed by thesanctuary authorities. Even some <strong>of</strong> the earthwork, panchayat roads, land development workshave been prevented. During the construction <strong>of</strong> Water Harvesting Structure undertaken byChakutia Bhunjia Development Authority through the Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Projectat Soseng Panchayat, the Sanctuary authorities delayed the process by not allowing the stones tobe picked up from within the Sanctuary. Some <strong>of</strong> the minor construction works undertaken bythe Panchayat are obstructed by not allowing the building materials to pass through the checkgates deliberately.• Restrictions on Mobility and Grazing:There are a number <strong>of</strong> instances where the local people were severely beaten up and harassed bythe local staff <strong>of</strong> wildlife division. For instance, On 25 th July 2002, two forest guards andfourteen hired goons beat up eight Tribal grazers severely in Sunabeda Panchayat and destroyedlarge quantity <strong>of</strong> milk products. This incident came to limelight, when a local daily published thenews on 7 th August 2002 (Oriya Daily, Samay, Dated 7 th August, 2002). Similarly, an old womenfrom Kermeli village had gone to forest and collected some harida and medicinal roots for herterribly sick son. On the way <strong>of</strong> return to her village the local forest guard snatched the collectedfruits and roots and destroyed it. Inthe same village another womenMarin Majhi aged around 60 yearswas beaten up severely by Wildlife<strong>of</strong>ficials while trying to take some<strong>NTFP</strong>s outside the checkgate. Theseincidents <strong>of</strong> extreme harassment bywild life <strong>of</strong>ficials had set the stage forVillage Roads in Sunabeda33