The districts of Bankura, Jhargram, and Purulia in West Bengal, India, are part of the region known as Jangal Mahal, characterized by its forests and tribal communities. Forests play a significant role in the livelihood and economy of these districts:
Livelihood:
Direct dependence: A significant portion of the tribal population relies on forests for their sustenance. They collect food (fruits, roots, mushrooms), fuel wood, fodder for livestock, and materials for housing and handicrafts from the forests.
Income generation: Many people are involved in collecting and selling non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like sal leaves, tendu leaves (used for making bidis), honey, medicinal plants, and bamboo. These provide them with income and employment opportunities.
Agriculture and livestock: Forests also support agriculture by providing resources like leaf litter for manure and grazing land for livestock.
Economy:
Forest-based industries: Forests provide raw materials for various industries such as timber, furniture, paper, and handicrafts. These industries contribute to the local economy and generate employment.
Tourism: The scenic beauty and biodiversity of the forests attract tourists, which can contribute to the local economy through accommodation, transportation, and sale of local products.
Ecological services: Forests provide valuable ecological services such as watershed protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation, which have economic benefits in the long run.
Challenges:
Deforestation and degradation: Due to various factors like illegal logging, encroachment, and unsustainable harvesting practices, the forests are facing deforestation and degradation, which threatens the livelihood and economy of the region.
Climate change: Climate change impacts like erratic rainfall and increased temperatures are affecting forest productivity and the availability of NTFPs, making the communities more vulnerable.
Lack of awareness and skills: Many people lack awareness about sustainable forest management practices and skills for value addition to NTFPs, which limits their income potential.
Government initiatives:
The government has implemented various initiatives to promote sustainable forest management and improve the livelihood of forest-dependent communities, such as:
Joint Forest Management (JFM): Involving local communities in forest management and decision-making.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Providing livelihood opportunities and skill development training to rural communities.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Providing employment through various works, including afforestation and soil conservation.
Potential for improvement:
Promoting sustainable forest management practices: This includes preventing illegal logging, controlling forest fires, and promoting afforestation and reforestation.
Strengthening community-based forest management: Empowering local communities to manage forests sustainably and benefit from them.
Value addition to NTFPs: Providing training and support for processing and marketing NTFPs to increase income.
Promoting eco-tourism: Developing sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and raises awareness about forest conservation.
By addressing the challenges and utilizing the potential, forests can continue to play a vital role in the livelihood and economy of the districts of Bankura, Jhargram, and Purulia.
To know more, visit Bishnupur town in Bankura District, state West Bengal, India
New Mukherjee Lodge
Pokabandh, Bishnupur, Bankura
Phone 8250623299, 9614472230
Director: Mr. Subhadeep Mukherjee
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