Livelihood Dependency of Garasia tribes utilizing Non Timber Forest Products in Abu Road area of Sirohi district in Rajasthan, India

Sangeeta Tripathi. Abu road block of Sirohi district in Rajasthan, India lies in 24.4641° N, 72.7718° E. A study was undertaken in tribal belt of Sirohi district in Rajasthan (India) to assess the livelihood dependency of Garasia tribes living in 24 villages in Abu road block. The area has also been notified as Scheduled tribe vide Ministry of tribal affairs , Govt. of India. Findings of reconnaissance survey reveals that livelihood systems in the study area are complex, primarily dependent on primitive mode of agriculture, followed by daily labour and NTFP (Non Timber Forest Products) collection and selling as their source of livelihood. On the basis of maximum collection qualitatively (through pre-tested and structured questionnaire) identified key NTFPs are Jatropha curcas (seeds) and Diospyros melanoxylon (fruits) collected in 83% villages, Momordica dioica ( fruits) and Phoenix (fruits) collected in 67 % and 50% villages respectively. The quantified key NTFPs with their (mean± S.D.) collection /annum in kg are: Tamarindus indica : fruits (49.25±46.04) , Pithocellibium dulce : fruits (36.12±18.36) Rs.1015/kg, Momordica dioica:fruits (29.31± 15.68), Annona squamosa: fruits (14.20±12.77), Diospyros melanoxylon : fruits (14.08±11.81), Syzygium cummuni : fruits (13.48±11.32), Pongamia pinnata:seeds (13.18±11.53), Phoenix sp. : fruits : (12 .37±11.38) and Jatropha curcus : seeds (10.14 ± 8.84). The findings of the present studies reveals that although there is high resource availability in the study area but due lack of awareness, scientific knowledge about various post harvest and value addition methods with inadequate marketing channels and facilities, the income from the key NTFPs are very low. NTFP collection in the area is a year round activity but tribal depends on it to sustain their livelihood needs instead of adopting it as an income generating activity.


Sangeeta Tripathi.
Abu road block of Sirohi district in Rajasthan, India lies in 24.4641° N, 72.7718° E. A study was undertaken in tribal belt of Sirohi district in Rajasthan (India) to assess the livelihood dependency of Garasia tribes living in 24 villages in Abu road block. The area has also been notified as Scheduled tribe vide Ministry of tribal affairs , Govt. of India. Findings of reconnaissance survey reveals that livelihood systems in the study area are complex, primarily dependent on primitive mode of agriculture, followed by daily labour and NTFP (Non Timber Forest Products) collection and selling as their source of livelihood. On the basis of maximum collection qualitatively (through pre-tested and structured questionnaire) identified key NTFPs are Jatropha curcas (seeds) and Diospyros melanoxylon (fruits) collected in 83% villages, Momordica dioica ( fruits) and Phoenix (fruits) collected in 67 % and 50% villages respectively. The quantified key NTFPs with their (mean± S.D.) collection /annum in kg are: Tamarindus indica : fruits (49.25±46.04) , Pithocellibium dulce : fruits (36.12±18.36) Rs.10-15/kg, Momordica dioica:fruits (29.31± 15.68), Annona squamosa: fruits (14.20±12.77), Diospyros melanoxylon : fruits (14.08±11.81), Syzygium cummuni : fruits (13.48±11.32), Pongamia pinnata:seeds (13.18±11.53), Phoenix sp. : fruits : (12 .37±11.38) and Jatropha curcus : seeds (10.14 ± 8.84). The findings of the present studies reveals that although there is high resource availability in the study area but due lack of awareness, scientific knowledge about various post harvest and value addition methods with inadequate marketing channels and facilities, the income from the key NTFPs are very low. NTFP collection in the area is a year round activity but tribal depends on it to sustain their livelihood needs instead of adopting it as an income generating activity.
Objectives of the study:- To document the extent of NTFP collection, processing and storage methods practiced in selected villages.  To study extent of NTFP trade and identify the gaps from NTFP collector to the market level in selected villages.  To explore the potential of key NTFPs through introduction of low cost post harvest management practices and their value addition.  To enhance the productivity of agriculture land by induction of trees in the production system.

Materials and Methods:-
Background study:-A preliminary survey was conducted to gather information on geographic area of villages, occupation pattern and socio-economic status of households. The interaction was held with State Forest Department, Sirohi, Zila Parishad and District Statistical Officer, Sirohi and Revenue Department, Abu Road. Similarly Key informant interviews were conducted with selected community leaders, traders and collectors at various study sites. To assess the role of NTFPs in the tribal livelihood, 25 % villages were selected randomly for detailed socio-economic and 10% families in each study village was surveyed. In less populated villages minimum 40 households were surveyed.
Questionnaire survey:-A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on following issues: a) NTFPs collected, their parts used and their end use, b) quantity of NTFP gathered per physical trip and quantity collected in a season. Secondary data were collected from State Forest Department, Sirohi, Zila Parishad and District Statistical Officer, Sirohi and Revenue Department, Abu Road. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS where as qualitative data through coding and memoing (Punch, 2005). Results were analyzed for livelihood approach through strategic intervention for further implication.

Result and Discussion:-
Socio-economic Survey:-Data on land use pattern are summarized in Table-1.  Table-2 and table-3

Discussion of Socio-economic status of tribals:
 The study area constitutes 85% tribal population comprising mainly Garasia, Gameti (Bhil) and Meena. Most of them belong to BPL category. (Annexure-I)  The socio-economic survey of this area reveals that economically tribal people are very poor residing in the interior parts of the forest and depend on it as their main source of livelihood. The forestland consists of 65% of the total area with only 6 % land being under cultivation.  Jan Chetna Sansthan, Doosra Dashak and Pradan are NGOs visiting the study area and are working mainly in the field of tribal rights, education, microfinance and agriculture respectively.  Agriculture and daily labour are the major source of livelihood. People in the area work as daily labourer but also visit to Abu Road, Koteshwer, Ambaji etc. in absence of the labour opportunity in nearby villages.  Animal husbandry is also one of the important source of livelihood. Every family has one or two cows/buffaloes and 5-10 goats but the milk production from cows is as low as 1-1.5 litres per day.  People usually do not sell milk and they use it for household consumption. However, the sale of goat and poultry fetches some money (about 1500-2000) every year.  Women equally share the economy of a household and in some instances earns up to 75% of the income.  Table-5.  Pongamia pinnata : seeds (13.18 ± 11.53) 7-10 8 Phoenix sp. Fruits (12 .37 ± 11.38) 10-20 9 Jatropha curcus : Seeds (10.14 ± 8.84) 10-15 (Source: Primary Data, Annexure-II, Graph-II)

Market Price Spread Studies:-
Visited 12 traders dealing with marketing of NTFPs in study area and collected information on from collector to processor level through structured questionnaire. Results indicate that traders play an important role in NTFP selling. Most of them are either local traders operating as middlemen simply collecting NTFP from village agents/shopkeepers and deliver in the township, or they have a full-fledged shop at the town.

Discussion on Market studies and Identified Key issues:-
The identified key issues in Collection and marketing of NTFPs include: 1. NTFP collection at village level is not organized and barter system also exists in the villages. Collected NTFPs are sold at minimum/very low rate to the village agent i.e. mostly owner of Grocery shop from where they get the items for their day to day use. 2. The price of NTFPs is most often determined by the tradersdepending on the margin they need. It is not based on demand/supply. 3. As the supply base is limited and seasonal, the traders often do not give the real price. In the bargain the primary harvester/collector is getting poor returns compared to the real value of the produce.
4. Like agriculture, NTFP collection and supply is also dependent on rain. In good rainfall years, tribals are engaged in agriculture work , therefore, collection and supply of NTFP is very less. Accordingly, prices of the collected NTFPs are high under such circumstances and vice-versa. 5. A tribal Co-operative society i.e. Abu road Kray-Vikray Sahakari Samiti is functional in Abu Road for purchasing of NTFPs, but due to poor transportation facilities and lack of communication systems tribals sell their products mostly in the village. 6. Secondly, the prices offered by the Co-operative are very less, therefore, village agents prefer to sell their products in nearby markets at Khed Brahma, Koteshwer and Ambaji. 7. Tribals are not aware with the proper collection, harvesting and post-harvest management practices. For collection of gum, damage to Butea monosperma (Palash), Boswellia serrata (Salar) and Anogeissus latifolia (Dhawra) was observed in some study villages. 8. Similarly, Mahua flowers are hand -picked from the forest floor, which is sometimes bushy and inaccessible.
Therefore, for convenience of collection, the forest floors are set on fire and the white flowers are clearly visible and picked up. 9. Drying of Mahua flowers is also done under unhygienic conditions and the dried flowers retain some moisture so that the quality of the whole collection deteriorates. Almost 50% of mahua flowers are spoiled due to lack of proper storage facilities. In rainy season Mahua flowers absorbs moisture and begins deteriorate very rapidly. 10. The collectors not getting fair prices due to lack of unscientific methods of weighing at the harvesters/local market/ local traders level. NTFPs like Momordica dioica (fruits), Diospyros melanoxylon (fruits), Butea monosperma (flowers), Annona squamosa (fruits), Feronia limonia (fruits) etc. are sold by school children in poly bags priced as Rs. 10-20/-per poly bag. 11. NTFPs collected from rare /endangered / threatened species are also (banned items) traded freely in the market and even billed in different names. 12. NTFP trade is generally based on information. Knowledge about production, valuation, processing, marketing channels are usually based on guess. For example, it was very difficult for us to get, a reliable figure on the production and sale value of Mahua and Palash flowers along with a breakup of its villagewise consumption and quantum of amount collected by various dealing /traders agencies across the supply chain. 13. There is a lack of scientific quality parameters or standards. Traders go by physical characteristics giving scope for reducing prices arbitrarily. 14. Some adulterants are also traded freely in the market e.g. gum from Boswellia serrata (Sali gugul) is freely traded in Ambaji market in place of original guggul gum. 15. For export of various NTFPs there is no inspection, verification, testing and certification unit in Rajasthan. There is a single certification Agency i.e. SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance) with its offices at Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Orissa etc.

Conclusions and Recommendations/ intervention for improving tribal livelihood:-
Recommendations/ intervention to ensure good returns from NTFPs include-Hence, based on above facts it is suggested that introduction of good collection and harvesting practices, imparting trainings for post-harvest methods to tribals, establishment of governing body for NTFP market watch, establishment of collection centers well equipped with storage and drying facilities at village level, linking Village Forest Protection Committee to income generating activities as well as direct to the marketing channels will definitely ensure a good return to the tribal community. Besides, NTFP collection should be based on participatory approach both for planning and management.

Annexure-I:-
Caste composition of study villages-