Forest Based Livelihood
Background
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Forests and NTFPs are paramount to the life and livelihood of
tribal and other forest dependent communities in India.
More than 275 millions of people depend on NTFP for their
livelihood
Contribute to the household annual income up to 20% to 50%
With a business turnover of Rs 6000 Crore per annum in India
against the international demand of US$60 billion per year
( EXIM Bank).
NTFP accounts for around 68% of the export in the forestry
sector.
Major NTFP & its Potential to address
livelihood
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Kendu leaf plucking is carried out in 6 lakh hectares area in 23
districts.
Largest producer of KL after Madhya Pradesh and accounts
for 15% of total KL production in the country.
Total business turnover is approximately 400 crore with
approximately 7.5 lakh card holders.
Two million population directly dependent on kendu leaf
procurement, processing and trading as a means of livelihood.
Generates about sixteen million person days of work during
the lean summer months.
Annual turnover of Bamboo in Odisha is 150 crore against
the annual turnover of 2500 crore in the country.
56 million of people depend on Sal seed across the country
Gender & NTFP
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Higher incidence of women’s involvements in NTFP activities
(Falconer 1990)
In the employment front, women’s employment in forest based
enterprises in India
was estimated to be approximately 571.533 million days
annually of which 90 percents in small scale enterprises using
NTFP. (Khare,1989)
In Odisha context, it is as high as 300 million woman days in
collection of forest produces. (Pani C.R 2013)
Policy Background
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Forests and NTFPs as a natural resources was never meant to
seen as a livelihood factors for the tribal people and other
forest dependent communities in pre and post independence
era.
The National Forest Policy 1988 and JFM resolution 1990
acknowledged the rights and authority of the local community.
But in reality within the framework of JFM, They were indeed
the privileges and concessions complementing for the
protection of forests within the same discriminatory regime of
the forest department.
Policy & Governance Issues
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The NTFP trade is controlled by Orissa NTFP (Trade Control)
Act 1981 that empowers the Govt. to declare NTFP at
different time as nationalized item selectively with complete
monopoly.
All nationalized NTFPs were given long term lease to Govt.
Agencies like (Kendu Leaf Dept. for KL, TDCC for Sal seed &
OFDC for Bamboo & Sal Seed) for procurement and
marketing.
March 2000 NTFP Policy that transferred 67 items (now 69)
terming them as MFP, to the purview of Panchayat ownership
as per Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
FRA & NTFP
Forest Rights Act, 2006 & its Amendment Rule, 2012
 The Act defines MFP as all NTFP of plant origin including bamboo, brush wood,
stumps, cane, tussar, cocoon, honey, wax, lac, tendu leaf, medicinal plants and
herbs, roots, tubers and the like.
 The Act again defines that community should have rights over ownership of MFP,
access to collect, use and dispose which has been traditionally collected within or
outside the village boundaries.
 Free from imposition of any fee/charges/royalties on the processing, value
addition, marketing of MFP collected individually or collectively by the
cooperatives/federations of the rights holders and no need of Transit Permit.
Issues
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Ownership of MFP
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Gram Sabha Vs Forest Dept.
Amendment of the State NTFP Policy & Act (The Schedule of Rate of Forest
Produce In Orissa Rules 1977, The Orissa Timber and other Forest Produce Transit Rules
1980, Orissa NTFP (Trade Control) Act 1981, Kendu Leaf Control and trade act ,
1961and rule, 1962,, The Orissa Forest Produce ( control of Trade) Act, 1981 & Rule
1983, The Orissa Timber and other forest produce transit rule, 1980, Odisha Bihar
Excise Act 1915 for Mohua, Supply of Bamboos to Artisans Including Co-operative
Societies (Orissa) Rules, 1980)
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Formulation of a comprehensive NTFP Policy
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Development of NTFP board
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Skill development programmes
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Incompatible Tax Structure
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Financial allocations
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Amendment of Odisha Bihar Excise Act 1915
Issues
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Total surplus distribution of KL
Control and Management of Bamboo by Gram Sabha
Transit permit
Forward and backward linkages
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Working Capital
Market Linkage
Value Addition
Information Asymmetry
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Market Information System
Traders/ Industry data base
SMS/ Radio communication
Buyers Seller Interface
Issues
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Resource Management ( RET species of NTFP like Gum Karya, Lac,
Resin, Sal leaf etc)
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Complementary mechanism for Crop Failure.
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Augmentation of Resources
Inventory
Product Mapping
Sustainable Harvesting
In situ/ Ex situ Plantation
ANR Plantation by FD
Crop Insurance
Awareness and Capacity Development
Research & Development
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Single window MFP
Issues
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MSP Scheme on MFP
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Awareness building
2% commission
Working capital support to PPAs
Delayed Payment
Transportation cost
Infrastructure development
Value addition/Primary processing of MFP
More inclusion of NTFP under the Scheme
Sal Leaf, Gum Karaya, Lac to be procured
Implementation of the Scheme in protected areas
Transit Permit
Role of Govt ( SPA) in non MSP item
Issues
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Food habits around forest /Uncultivated Foods
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Revival of Food habits
Understanding the economy and ecology
Understanding the nutrition value vs Grain based Nutrition Policy
Initiating practical baby steps
Linking with Rural Consumers to conscious Urban Consumers
Reviving Millet based Nutrition Farming
Inclusion under PDS, MDM
Genetic Modified Crop