Already affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, the wildfires threaten to make collection of minor forest produce even more difficult
Forest fires have been ravaging the Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district for over a fortnight. The rich flora and fauna are facing impending danger as the fire entered the core areas recently. However, several tribal communities around the periphery areas of Simlipal are worried as they rely on the forests to earn their living.
The forest fires could affect the livelihood of several Scheduled Tribes of Mayurbhanj district such as the Kolha, Santal, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gond and Ho, tribal rights activists in Odisha have warned.
However, the impact could be more drastic among three particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) known as the Lodha, Khadia and Mankidia, as they live in Simlipal’s forest fringe areas and largely depend on forest-based livelihood. The tribal population of Mayurbhanj is 58.7 per cent, the highest in the state.
Budhia Bhodta (72), is standing in front of his house at Champagarh village in the Jadunathpur panchayat of the Badasahi block under the Mayurbhanj district. The village is about 30 kilometres away from Simlipal’s core area and inhabited by 25 households who belong to one of the 13 PVTGs in Odisha, known as the Lodha.
The name Lodha means a piece of fish. The total population of the Lodha tribe was 8,905 according to the Census 2011. They belong to the North Munda ethnic group and speak the Mundari language.
The majority of the Lodha people are found in the Suliapada and Morada blocks under Mayurbhanj. Other blocks having a population of Lodhas include Baripada, Badasahi, Khunta, Udala, Shamakhunta and Kaptipada.
“Our forefathers used to live inside the core area,” recalled Budhia. “There were plenty of wild animals then. The forests were also dense. But about 25 years back, the government evicted us from the crore area. Since then, life has become difficult for us.”
Status of forest fire in Simlipal Tiger Reserve as on March 9, 2021. Map: Vasundhara
Manguli Bhodta, 62, Budhia’s wife said, “We cannot survive without forests. For generations, our menfolk have been collecting honey from them. Women generally harvest a range of wild mushrooms, fruits and leaves. But these days, our people are facing intimidation from forest officials. They often blame us, alleging that we deliberately set fire in the forests, cut trees and hunt wild animals.”
“Without forests, we will die,” Sushil Bhodta (42), a friend of Budhia, said. “Why should we burn the forests? It will kill bees. Honey is our main source of livelihood.”
The honey collection techniques of the Lodha people are eco-friendly and they make sure not to kill the queen bee that plays a critical role in producing offspring, a village elder said.
Since the outbreak of wild fires in Simlipal, several environmentalists, conservationists and even the forest authorities have blamed the tribal community for burning dried leaves to collect mahua flowers that ultimately triggered fire in the forest areas. However, this charge has been refuted by the tribal communities.
Ashok Bhodta (38), from Champagarh village, said: “There is not a single mahua tree inside the core area of Simlipal. You can only find mahua trees around the Adivasi villages. And mahua flowers are generally collected after March. So why is the government is criticising us?”
Livelihood concerns
As the fire continued to spread to newer areas while this reporter was in Simlipal, Budhia, Manguli, Sushil, Ashok and many of their community members were worried it might affect their harvesting of several minor forest produce that fuels their economy.
From January to May, Lodha people collect barda saag (green leaves), mango, siali leaves, khajuri (date palm), mahua flowers, sal leaves, jhuna, tamarind and Tasar silk.
Similarly, from June to July, they collect kendu (wild fruit), jackfruit, barda saag, mahua seeds, chahar (wild berries), sal seeds, jamukoli (wild berries), mahudantkathi, and kussum (wild berries).
From August to December, they collect wild varities of mushrooms, kurkuti, pita kanda (tuber), karke kanda (tuber), jhuna, gooseberries, harada and bahada.
“Minor forest produce supports the lifeline of many tribal communities,” Kadey Soren, tribal development expert, who belongs to the Tiring block under Mayurbhanj, said. “In collaboration with the local community, there is a need to conduct an immediate impact assessment of biodiversity loss.”
“The pandemic-induced lockdown has already affected tribal livelihood across the country,” Laxmidhar Singh, a Ho tribal right activist hailing from Mayurbhanj, said. “Instead of indulging in a ‘blame-game’, government should involve local tribal communities in fire control measures,” he added.
Y Giri Rao, director, Vasundhara, a civil society organisation working on forest governance and tribal land rights, said, “Giving local communities control over forest resources is the key. We should avoid policies that encourage forest destruction and make it more inclusive where the role of forest-dwelling indigenous communities is clearly outlined.”
Areas where tribal people have received community forest rights under Forest Rights Acts, 2006 remained largely unaffected by the wildfire, a recent assessment conducted by Vasundhara in Mayurbhanj showed.
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