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

THE ONLY OPTION OF LIVELIHOOD SNATCHED AWAY: LEFT TO DIE“We don’t have money? How should I take my child to Jashipur hospital? I am waiting to sell the Sal Seed. Till dateno trader turned has out. My hus<strong>ban</strong>d has gone to Joshipur in search <strong>of</strong> work” It is the version <strong>of</strong> Chandramani Dehuri,w/o Harshi Dehuri, who is living in the Mankadia colony in Gudgudia village with her only two years kid Sagar Dehuri.When the team went to her house, she was eating food and her kid was sitting in the Barandha. One <strong>of</strong> the teammembers went near the kid and lifted him and suddenly said that the kid is suffering with fever. When we asked hismother, she didn’t respond to our question. She just closed down the door. Then we took help <strong>of</strong> Budhini Dehuri, whois the neighbour <strong>of</strong> Chandramani Dehuri. Shetold us, that her kid was suffering fever fromlast two days. She went to the mobile healthunit, which is located just 100 yards from herhouse, the pharmacist gave some medicineand she is continuing that medicine. But, thefever has not come down. When we askedwhy she is not taking her kid to Joshipurhospital for treatment. She replied by sayingthis is a lean season. No work is available inthe area. Earlier they used to earn money byselling <strong>of</strong> Sal Seed during this lean season.This year though she collected the Sal seedbut no trader has turned up. Her hus<strong>ban</strong>dHarshi Dehuri waited for couple <strong>of</strong> days, but now has gone to Joshipur in search <strong>of</strong> work. “Once we go Joshipur, weneed minimum <strong>of</strong> Rs. 1000/-. Where should we get the money? When we asked why she needed money, when she canget medicines free <strong>of</strong> cost at the government hospital. She told that as the government hospital do not have themedicines even for common diseases; they are compelled to purchase the medicine from outside as prescribed by thedoctor.Food SecurityAccording to the information available in the web site <strong>of</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Rural Development underBPL Survey 2002 portal, around 69% <strong>of</strong>families <strong>of</strong> Gudugudia and 42% <strong>of</strong> families <strong>of</strong>Food Security <strong>of</strong> Gudgudia PanchayatBarehipani GP get less than 1 squaremeal/day throughout the year. As already11%2% 11%7%mentioned the monthly income <strong>of</strong> most <strong>of</strong>the families is below Rs 3000 i.e. around Rs250/month, the people do not have thepurchase capacity to supplement their diet.69%The restricted livelihood options and thelack <strong>of</strong> basic facilities seem to be themajor reasons for the people suffering from malnutrition and dying due to starvation andhunger.47