Though belated and Herculean task in its nature, the Jammu Kashmir Tribal Affairs Department (TAD) is finally initiating process for identification and registration of tribal artisans, Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers and farmers under the scheme for supporting collection and marketing of MFP, support for infrastructure required for tribal Handlooms and handicrafts, value addition and marketing linkages. According to a latest report, the tribal department is also focusing on empowerment of tribal women and endeavours to engage them in profitable economic activities in coordination with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
As per the latest report, the TAD is working on modalities for support to tribal groups for Minor Forest Produce and other traditional sectors. The scheme will extend financial and guidance infrastructure support for various economic activities based on MFP and traditional economic activities. The Department will finalise the modalities for signing MoU with TRIFED aimed at empowering the tribal communities by providing financial support and infrastructure for various minor forest produce and promotion of traditional handicrafts and art. The MoU will enable Minimum Support Price (MSP) to be offered to tribal farmers and gatherers which will be funded on 75:25 formula with 75% funds provided by TRIFED and 25% by J&K Govt.
Jammu Kashmir is very rich in numerous Minor Forest Produce to name a few from a very long list with local names are Guchchi, Kandeli, Kinas, Rattanjog, Ban Tamaku, Atis, Kala Jira, Asmani Buti, Hing, Saunf and many more. The Forest Department has notified these MFP district-wise separately, but very little efforts are made to make aware the Tribal and Villagers living in forest areas so that they could be engaged in a viable gathering occupation or for cultivating/ farming in these MFPs.
The main reason forest department officials are not telling people about rights over MFP is that it is a major source of revenue for forest departments. J&K like most states have nationalised certain MFP items. The produce accounts for 50 per cent of forest revenue, according to the forestry statistics of India; the states trade in them through cooperatives and corporations. FRA and the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), however, render state trading of MFP illegal Most forest departments earn more from MFP than timber. After the Supreme Court banned tree felling in forests without working plans, MFP has emerged as the main source of revenue for forest departments.
The new initiative department in coordination with TRIFED is targeting livelihood generation for tribal farmers, artisans and gatherers and transforming them into entrepreneurs. The idea is to set-up tribal community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) in predominantly forested tribal districts and tribal majority pockets covering several districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Bandipora, Budgam and Kupwara
Holistic approach is needed and a good amount of effort must be put in to yield positive perceptible results at the ground level. Though late but well begun is half done.
