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

1 Harida 2.50-3 1.502 Bahada 1-1.5 0.503 Amala 10 6-74 Chhar 20-25 10-125 Mahul 7.00 3-3.5(Source: Interaction with the community members from Bhuasil Village)Significance <strong>of</strong> income from Kendu leaves in the livelihood <strong>of</strong> peopleThe following table highlights the importance <strong>of</strong> KL income in the livelihood <strong>of</strong> poorer householdsin four villages namely, Kermeli, Pethipali, Gola<strong>ban</strong>dha and Tileimal located within the Sanctuary. Asignificant percentage <strong>of</strong> population residing in these villages constitutes tribals for whom KLincome is extremely important. Around 90% <strong>of</strong> the KL pluckers are the tribals.Looking into the availability <strong>of</strong> large quantity <strong>of</strong> Kendu leaves the government had set up 22Phadies for collection <strong>of</strong> Kendu leaf within the sanctuary area. On an average, one family earnedbetween Rupees 500-800 from KL in one season. Problems relating to KL aroused after 2000when KL Phadies within the sanctuary were closed down by the government. This action wasundertaken following the issuance <strong>of</strong> the government circular [No. F(L)12/2000 - 12732 F&E] on19th August in the same year stating . This policy decision was protested hard and strong by thepeople from the protected areas in response to which an informal arrangement was worked out thatallowed the pluckers to deposit their collections in the Phadies located outside the sanctuaryboundary. Under the new informal arrangement this brought in severe hardship to the pluckers asthy now had to traverse long distance i.e., minimum 15 kms and in some cases even longer distancesto sell leaves to the Phadies.In the year 2003, 134 households in the above mentioned four villages undertook KL pluckingactivity 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, the pluckers inthese villages are yet to receive their payment since all the leaves from these villages were seized byDFO even though the department had created an informal arrangement for collection <strong>of</strong> leaves tohelp thee poor pluckers residing inside the sanctuary to continue with their livelihood option. Thishas resulted in loss <strong>of</strong> average Rs. 500 to a tribal household, which forms one <strong>of</strong> the most importantcash incomes particularly during the lean season when other livelihood earning avenues are scarceand the block where 87% <strong>of</strong> the total population is below poverty line.36