1. Forest Based Livelihood

2. Background
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.

3. Major NTFP & its Potential to address livelihood
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

4. Gender & NTFP
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 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)

5. Policy Background
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 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.

6. Policy & Governance Issues
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.

7. 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.

8. Issues Ownership of MFP
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)
Formulation of a comprehensive NTFP Policy
Development of NTFP board
Skill development programmes
Incompatible Tax Structure
Financial allocations
Amendment of Odisha Bihar Excise Act 1915

9. Issues Total surplus distribution of KL
Control and Management of Bamboo by Gram Sabha
Transit permit
Forward and backward linkages
Working Capital
Market Linkage
Value Addition
Information Asymmetry
Market Information System
Traders/ Industry data base
SMS/ Radio communication
Buyers Seller Interface

10. Issues
Resource Management ( RET species of NTFP like Gum Karya, Lac, Resin, Sal leaf etc)
Augmentation of Resources
Inventory
Product Mapping
Sustainable Harvesting
In situ/ Ex situ Plantation
ANR Plantation by FD
Complementary mechanism for Crop Failure.
Crop Insurance
Awareness and Capacity Development
Research & Development
Single window MFP

11. Issues MSP Scheme on MFP 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

12. Issues Food habits around forest /Uncultivated Foods
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