Socioeconomic Improvement in the Lifestyle of Tribal BPLS in Nanded City (MS), Using Lac Insect Infested <I>Samanea saman</I> as Model

Abstract

Tribes across the world are known to collect various natural products from the forest since time immemorial. Tribal BPLs are mostly dependent on natural forest products like lac, honey, wax, gum etc. to earn their livelihood. With increasing deforestation it has become a matter of serious concern that lac insects are losing their host plants,which they inhabit. This has imposed the issue of survival of those tribes who depend on such natural products from forest and earn their livelihood. The point here to note is that these tribes are BPLs. Samanea saman (rain trees) is one of the trees commonly infested by lac insects. In Nanded city (Maharashtra State) good density of rain trees can be encountered. Survey carried out in 47 different locations provided a data of 355 rain trees. It was found that out of 355 rain trees 38 were infested by lac insects. Annual collection of lac from ten tree can generate about ` 32,600 in local market annually for 100 Kg of lac. This can create a substantial income if 10 such plants are adapted by one tribal BPL. All 355 rain trees in city Nanded alone can generate income for approximately for 35 tribal BPL. This will also ensure protection and care of all the rain trees as it has been recorded that some of the rain trees died and cut down due to low maintenance in the near past. The present study strongly recommends an innovative method of improvement of economic status of tribal BPLS.