Forest Labourer & socio-economic Aspect, a Case Study in Kesla

Abstract

The paper highlights the results of the socio-economic survey of Forest labourers carried out in Kesla and Rampur-Bhatodi sub.projects under MPSFLC. The employment of forest labourers 50 far has been of a casual nature which has resulted in per capita low productivity A clasiification of forest labourers into six distinct units namely Tribal and non-tribal forest villagers. Tribal and non-tribal permenent Camp labourers. Tribal ane Don-tribal Temporary Camp labourers was found to be culturally. Socially and economically significant, A comprehensive sociological and economic analysis on Inheritance, Family structure, Sustenance and Nutrition Health and Education, Attitude towards Forest Works, Skill and Productivity and income and Expenditure Pattern bas provided insight into the problems of low productivity and poor economic status of three labourers. MPSFDC has emerged as a big change agent by providing increased level of activity, diversity of employment throughcut the year, a chain of labour welfare activities like housing, medical, education, grain shep vocational training and innovative methods of work for specialization in forest works which has broken the vicious cycle of low income and low produoivity amongst the forest Lobourers. These measures have produced a positive response in the labour force employed by the Corporation and have brought the staff and labour closer together in the stupendous task of forestry development. It could be said that for the first time forest Labour is coming to be recognisied as an integral and important part of the system. The ideas and innovations being tried in MPSFDC are not only worthwhile, but they are also timely. This is the way to achieve growth with social justice and other organisation could emulate the work of MPSFDC.