06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

to see whether the solar cookers were efficient in
reducing dependence on mangrove wood as a fuel.
Nearly all mangrove species are used in making
either houses or farming implements. All parts of
the Phoenix tree is used in house building. It is one
of the most extracted timber resource. Since better
quality timber (Heretiera spp.) is found in the core
zone, its extraction is restricted. Another freely
used timber source is the Casurina plantations
along the Gahirmatha beach. Under the Ecodevelopment
plan of the Sanctuary Authority,
there are provisions to undertake avenue
plantations. These plantations will cater to the
fuel and timber needs of the local population.
c. Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) :
The Center For Minor Forest produce has
proposed a classification of NTFP with 26
categories in two broad groups, (Shiva and Mathur
1997). The two broad groups are
Group 1 Commodities: NTFP of plant, animal and
mineral origin
Group 2 : Services : Tourism, recreation and
wildlife watching etc.
A separate study is needed to understand the
. resources under each head. At present the
information is available on two NTFPs, honey and
a grass used to make baskets.
• Honey: The local name for honey is 'Mahu'.
There are a group of 35 adivasi households
called 'Dalai' living in Dangmal village ..
• Agriculture labour
• Honey collection
D No employment
187
Table 13:HoneyandbeeswaxcoUected
Year Honey (qUs)
1996 45.0
1997 41.8
1998 19.9
1999 14.4
2000 8.63
2001
Source: Division Forest Office, Rajnagar, 2001
They have been collecting honey for generations.
Only men above the age of 15 years from the
community go for honey collection. They do not
depend totally on honey collection for their
livelihood They also work as servants in other
houses, as agricultural labourers, on fishing
launches and any work that is available in the
Forest Department, plantations, etc. The women of
this community do not go for honey collection. The
honey is collected mainly in the summer season
from March to May. Since the area has been
declared a sanctuary from 1975 onwards, they
have to sell honey to the Forest Department. When
sold to the department they earn Rs. 25/- per kg.
They go in a group of 7-10 people (Chadha and
Kar 1999) and later distribute the profit amongst
themselves. Good quality honey is collected mainly
in the flowering season of 'Khorsi' (Aegiceras
corniculatum), and of 'Garani' (Ceriops
decandra),
• Basket and Mat making: Every household
makes baskets, mats, hand fans, and various
other items of the leaves and bark of mangrove
trees. The bark fibers of 'Bahumurga'
(Flagellaria indica), is used for rope making.
The leaves of 'Hental' (Phoenix paludosa) are
used for mat making.
Harijan communities from the sanctuary area
make mats and baskets out of 'Naalia grass'
(Myriostachya wightiana). They collect 20 kg of
Naalia grass which is enough to make four
baskets, every 7 days. The price of the baskets
vary from Rs. 4/- to Rs. 40/- according to the size.
The Forest Department issues forest passes for this
resource harvest. They face danger of being
attacked by crocodiles when they go for collecting
Naalia grass .
d. Bioactive medicinal plants
Bhitarkanika
Bee wax (kg)
95.75
126.0
52.3
47.15
34.00
88.00
There are many articles in which the medicinal
value of mangroves is described. The local
communities do use the local plants for home
remedies, but an in depth understanding of their