Conclusion
CONCLUSION
In the concluding chapter, the researcher intends to sum up his arguments made in
different chapters and present an overview of the work. The objective of the thesis is to
examine the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in management of forest resource in
Scheduled Areas. The study has focused on the Koraput district _of Orissa primarily
because this district falls under the Scheduled Area and the Panchayat Extension to the
Scheduled Area Act, 1996 is also applied to this district. Moreover, this district consists
of large number of tribal population and forest is the main source of their livelihood.
The history of forests in India, as anywhere else in the world, is related to the
history of civilization. The civilization began in India at Mahenjodaro and Harappa much
before the arrival of the Aryans. There is also evidence of a thriving Dravidian
Civilisation existing deep in the South about 2000 B.C. Prior to advent of the Britishers,
the forest in India remained in the hands of the tribal people and they had the
responsibility of using and managing of the forest resources for its sustainability. This
harmony between the tribal people and the forests was disrupted, when the British started
exploiting the forest resources for commercial purpose. The ecological change and its
destruction started since the European applied to their patterns of resource use.
Consequently, the communal control over these lands and forest resources was no longer
left to the tribal people.
The Forest Policy, 1894, was the first forest policy in India. In this policy, the
British Government made two major enunciations: first, the conservation of forests
became primary objective; and secondly, the public benefit was projected as the sole
Conclusion
object of forest administration. Further, this policy treated revenue generation from the
forest as secondary. Since 1854 forest was exploited for the purpose of
commercialisation. However. it had clearly stated that the Government could impose
restrictions on the rights of the forest dwellers because the state was the sole
administering authority over forest. This policy had negative impact on the forest
dwellers. The British Government, however, realised that forests had to be used for
economic purpose as well as for the survival of the forest dweller.
The Scientific Forestry had begun in the first quarter of the 201h century. Under
the Scientific Forestry, the Government took an attempt to restrict the felling trees. As a
result, a general defiance arose against the British forest laws, particularly during the
Indian Home Rule Movement and the Non Co-operation Movement. In post
independence period 'Chipko' movement proved that persuasion and not coercion can
secure people's support in forest protection. The Indian Forest Act, 1927 codified forest
legislation on people's rights over forest land and forest products and it also strengthened
the provisions of the Act of 1894. The main objective of this forest legislation was to
increase the revenue for the government. In this Act, the Government, instead of
conserving the forest for the interest of the forest dwellers, ali owed the export of valuable
timbers for remunerative purpose. Moreover, the forestry of India was adversely affected
during the World War-1 and World War-11. In these wars, a large quantity of timbers and
other forest produces destroyed to meet the requirement the War.
A new development took place in the area of forest management in the post
independence phase. In the early 1950s, most of the states enacted new legislations
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Conclusion
affecting land tenure systems. Also, large areas of privately owned forests came to rest
with the Forest Departments of States. The I 952 Forest Policy is another important
turning point in the evolution of forest management in India.
Soon after the formulation of the 1952 Policy, the emphasis was given to national
interest. The policy clearly pointed out that the local interests and priorities should be
subservient to national interest in a broader perspective. Thus, this policy clearly stated
that village communities in the neighborhood of a forest will naturally make a greater use
of its products for the satisfaction of their domestic and agricultural needs. Such use,
however, should not be permitted at the cost of national interest. In the name of national
interests, the Government of India used the forest resources to meet the requirements of
defence, communications and vital wood based industries. In the early stages of
development, close collaboration of influential groups such as industrialists, timber
traders, agriculturists and government spread all over the country because wood-based
industries were primarily depending on species form the forests. The collaboration not
only increased the availability of large quantity of timber to the wood-based industries at
very low prices but also released land for the expansion of agriculture.
The drawback of 1952 policy was that even if the emphasis was given on
ecological and social forestry but in actual practices, the government did not address this
issue. In most parts of the country, large section of ecologically sensitive areas are
destroyed to set up big projects such as power, mining, irrigation and industrial ventures
and infrastructure like roads and railways. In this juncture, through the contract
lumbering system, huge areas of forest had been clear-felled to raise revenue for the State
169
Conclusion
The National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) in 1970 examined all aspects of
agriculture including forestry. However, the Commission has not paid positive attention
to the interests of the forest dwellers. The NCA restricted the nishtar rights of the forest
dwellers, i.e., rights of the forest dwellers over some Minor Forest Produces (MFP).
Further the Social Forestry programme was initiated primarily to manage and protect
forest and afforestation in barren land for aiding in environmental, social and rural
development. The Social Forestry programme was widely designed to meet the primary
needs of the tribal and rural population and was completely opposed to the use of forest
for industrial and revenue purposes.
The National Forest Policy, 1988 was another historic move by the central
government. The 1988 Policy was a turning point in the history of forest management in
India. The national goal of the policy was to have a minimum of one-third of the total
land area of the country under forest or tree cover. In the hills and in mountainous
regions, the aim was to maintain two-third of the area under such cover in order to
prevent erosion and land degradation and to ensure the stability of the fragile eco-system.
Moreover, the 1988 Forest Policy highlighted the symbiotic relationship between the
tribal people and forest. It was also stated that the primary task of all agencies and forest
development corporations was to associate the tribal people in protection, regeneration
and development of forests, providing for gainful employment to people living in and
around the forest.
In order to preserve forest, the government realised that the key to success lies in
the people themselves and the local knowledge, skills and traditions are valuable assets in
170
Conclusion
this programme. Thus, the Government of India initiated a programme in encouraging the
shareholding system and other forms of partnership to promote long-term commitment in
management of forest and ensure that the real benefits of forest will reach to the rural
communities.
After a long history of forest policy, the policy planners and forest administrators
began to develop new strategies to reduce the conflict between the state agencies and
rural people. An attempt had been made to facilitate the emergence of collaborative forest
management systems that responded to the national needs and local resources
requirements. In this strategy, it came to widely recognise that the active involvement of
the rural and tribal people living in and around forest was crucial for the ultimate success
of forest protection, regeneration and management activities. In this perspective, the
National Forest Policy, 1988, outlined the scope for people's participation in forest
management as one of its basic objectives. The policy highlighted on "creating a massive
people movement with the involvement of women for achieving these objectives and to
minimize pressure on existing forests''. The broader parameters of people's participation
were determined by June 1990 circular of the Government of India. In this circular, the
government outlined Modus Operandi for involvement of the local people living in and
around forest areas and the NGOs to jointly regenerate the degraded forests in the
country. However, the tradition and custom of the society restricts the women to
participate in joint system of resources management.
The Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005, is proposed to
address the needs and aspirations of the forest dwellers. As far as the tribals are
171
Conclusion
concerned, this Bill recognised that "historical injustices" have been done to the tribal
communities by the government both the colonial and the post-colonial period. The main
provision of the Bill is to legally entitle 2.5 hectare of forest land to those tribals, who
have occupied forest land before October 25, 1980. But the tribals, who have been
occupied forest-land after the above mentioned date will simply be evicted from the
occupying forest land. So, the government should take necessary steps to address these
people as well. Long term economic interest does and can become a strong motivation for
the protection of forest resources.
In the context of Orissa, the year 1948 brought forests of erstwhile princely states
under the control of the Orissa Forest Department. After merger, the Indian Forest Act,
1927, was extended with effect from the I st April, 1948, by the Administration of Orissa
State's Order, 1948.
However, instead of preserving the forest resources in the interest of the tribal
community, the Government of Orissa deforested extensive forest land for various
development projects. Extensive forest land was also leased out for extension of
agriculture and implementation of the so called policy like "land to landless''. Extensive
encroachments over valuable forest lands in several districts like Koraput, Sambalpur and
Mayurbhanj were regularised by executive orders.
After such a huge damage to environment and ecology, a new sense of awareness
has emerged and both the Government and the people have started thinking to preserve
the residual forests to improve the degraded forests and take up plantations on a huge
scale under state initiative. Since the beginning of the 5th Plan, special forestry schemes
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Conclusion
have been taken up in a big way following the all-India policy recommended by the
National Commission on Agriculture. The programme under social has forestry included
mixed plantation, rehabilitation of degraded forests, rural fuel wood plantation, coastal
shelter belt plantation, farm forestry etc.
The Social Forestry Project in Orissa received massive assistance from the
Swedish International Development Agency. It was an endeavour for the creation of
common property forest resources for the people and by the people with government
support. It essentially involves a strategy of people's participation as individuals and as
members of local communities in village forestry activities for rural development and
poverty alleviation.
However, illegal destruction of forest still continues in plantation areas under the
social forestry programme. The head loads of firewood have been common in the rural
areas and this is considered as a self-employment for the tribal people. In order to contain
these problems, the Government of Orissa implemented a scheme since late 1980 to
involve rural communities to protect the reserved and protected forest. The scheme
entrusted the responsibility of fire-fighting and prevention of illicit removals and
encroachments in the adjoining forest to the protection committees in each village. The
scheme also provided certain rights to the villagers to use the forest to meet their
requirements of small timber, bamboo and firewood only for household consumption.
However, forests have suffered too much from the free rider problem. In various cases,
the forest resources being used as a common property for private gain. Further, the
present economic pressure pushes wider issues like inter-generational equity and
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Conclusion
ecological sustainability. As a result, resulted the forest have been increasing used rather
the preserving it for sustainability.
In increasing resource pressures and deforestation, various community groups of
Orissa began protecting forests since the 1970s. By the late 1980s, the community's
forest protection group spread throughout Orissa. Thus, on I 51 August 1988, the
Government of Orissa passed the nation's first forest policy resolution endorsing
community management practices. Thus, in Orissa, the village people took the initiative
to protect nearby forests, which the Orissa Government merely formalised at a later
period. Accordingly, villagers are assigned some specific roles in the protection of
Reserve Forest adjoining their villages and in turn, are granted certain concessions in the
matter of meeting their requirements.
In order to make forest protection drive more effective and transparent through
involvement of local villagers, the Government of Orissa issued another resolution,
known as the JFM, in 1993. For the effective implementation. various forest protection
committees, known as Vana Samrakhyan Samitis (VSS), are constituted under the
programme. However, the JFM programme lacks the participation of the rural people. In
Orissa, due to state intervention, the rural communities are reluctant to participate in JFM
programme.
Historically tribals of India have adopted the nature as their habitat. Their
subsistence pattern, economic, social institutions, beliefs and practices have been closely
linked with the environment. The relationship between tribals and forest has often been
called symbiotic. The sociaL religious and economic systems of the tribals revolve
174
Conclusion
around the forest. A set of religious myths and social customs were built around the forest
to ensure that economically important trees are protected, human needs are met and the
species that are more commonly available are equitably distributed. Moreover, the social
and cultural life of the tribal people is closely linked with the forest. The belief system,
custom and tradition of the tribal people centered round the forest. For them, forest is the
sacred grove and they worship the forest god and goddess for their peace and prosperity
in their life. Given the extent of their dependence, it is not surprising that they have built
such a system to treat forests as a renewable resource. They have been using the forest in
their every stage of life at the same time managing and protecting from illegal
destruction.
In Orissa, the traditional institution functions in consonance with the custom and
tradition of the village. They give directives to the villagers to preserve and protect the
forest resources. Moreover, the belief and myth of the tribal society is closely linked with
the forest. Thus, the tribal people preserve certain species without harming them because
these species are counted as sacred grove. The tribal people have adopted the restriction
of using the forest to prevent the over exploitation of forest resources. These restrictions
are existing not merely in Orissa, it has been practised all over India. The tribal society
dissuades people from cutting trees by speaking of the anger of the gods and goddesses.
Thus, if the jungle debta (the forest deity) is angered, podu crop will be affected and
Minor Forest Produce (MFP) would not be available. Further, destruction of forests
requires prior sanction of the gods and atonement has to be made when they are forced to
destroy trees.
175
Conclusion
The democratic decentralisation came into force through Panchayati Raj Institutions
under the 73rd Act, 1992. This Act empowers the gram panchayat to manage the forest
resources at the grass root level. However, in the administrative perspective, no
coordination was found between the PRis and forestry institutions over controlling forest
resources. This problem was further complicated in the fifth Scheduled Areas under the
constitution. In this competition of power sharing, Panchayats extension to Scheduled
Area Act, 1996, came into force. The extension act has been endowed with wide ranging
powers and functions at the grass root level. Further, it delegates the ownership of minor
forest produce to the Gram Sabha.
From the field assessment, it was observed that forest is the mam source of
livelihood of tribal people even through the government is spending huge amount to
eradicate poverty of the tribal society. It was noticed that till date the tribal people have
remained in the traditional pattern of economic system. Moreover, due to
commercialisation, industrialisation, and illegal destruction of forest the tribal people
have been losing fast their source of livelihood. Numbers of policies came to protect their
interest but it failed to address the need and problems of the tribal people. The democratic
decentralisation is one··of the significant steps by the government to empower the local
people to participate in decision making process, but still large section of tribal people are
not well aware about the provision of the grass root democratic institution. Even, the
government has not taken any concrete step to carry out awareness programme at the
village level particularly to the tribal people. The Panchayat Extension to the Scheduled
Area Act, 1996, came into force to protect the interest of the tribal people. The Act
empowered the Gram Panchayat to preserve and protect the forest resource at the village
176
Conclusion
level. The Act also empowers the ownership authority to the Gram Sabha to own and
manage the forest based resources at the village level. However, in practically, the Palli
Sabha has the power to approve various plans and programmes to the Gram Panchayat.
Thus, it has failed to achieve its objectives. Further, the lack of awareness among the
tribals resulted that the 1996 Act is meaningless for the tribal communities. On the other
hand, the process of development and displacement is one of the major threats to the
vulnerable tribal communities of Orissa. They lost their source of livelihood, home and
the social and cultural life.
Comparative analysis of Study Areas
The present study is based on the comparative analysis of field information that has
obtained from Lamtaput block and Damonjodi project area (which falls under Koraput
and Pottangi blocks). A total of 16 villages have been chosen for the purpose of this
study. Among these 16, 8 villages taken from each sample study area. In Lamtaput block,
8 villages are chosen in such manner which vary in distance from the block headquarter,
population size and geographical location in order to obtain relevant information,
whereas it is not similar in the case of Damonjodi. During the field study in Damonjodi,
factory area, information collected from the resettlement colony because after
displacement, some tribal people were resettled at the Amlabadi resettlement colony.
There were some of the displaced people who shifted to other villages, but it was not
possible on the part of researcher to find out to those people.
The Lamtaput block is about 57 K.M. away from the district headquarter, Koraput
and have no better communication facilities. It was found during the field survey, that the
177
Conclusion
education and the health care facilities in this block are not satisfactory. Though there are
some schools in rural areas of the block but they are not functioning properly due to
lack/irregularities of teachers. In the case of health care system, even the primary health
care facilities are not reaching to the needy people and also electricity and drinking water
are not adequately available at the village level in this block. There are some better
facilities in private run medical like Ashakiran because of its high prices, common people
are finding difficult to afford the available health care facilities. The existed government
run Community Health Center (CHC) is in dilapidated condition. The people of the
Lamtaput block are maintaining completely rural life style. The impact of modern life has
so far not touched these people. The People of this block are deeply bound with their
culture, traditions, customs and community solidarity. Whereas Damonjodi is completely
different from the Lamtaput block. The location of Damonjodi is near about 36 K.M.
away from the district headquarter, Koraput, connected with better communication
facilities because of the industrial area. The education, health care, drinking water
facilities etc. of Damonjodi are comparatively better than the Lamtaput block. But all
these facilities are enjoyed by those people who are employed in NALCO. The pattern of
life style of Damonjodi has modern outlook because it is an industrialised area. In the
post-displacement period, tribal people gradually lost their deep rooted tradition, custom,
social integrity and community solidarity at the resettlement colony. Though the tribals
hardly earn for their livelihood, the life styles have been undergone a drastic change. To
sustain with the modernity, they often face the problem of indebtedness. For better
understanding, let us make an attempt to discus the findings of these blocks in the
following way.
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Conclusion
Findings:
As per the findings of the study, it is revealed that the tribal people are the real victims in
the whole process of development through industrialisation, destruction of forest and
displacement. The large scale destruction of forest resources has adversely affected the
socio-economic and cultural life of tribes because their life style and livelihood
completely depend on forest and forest products. There are some commonality and
differences between the tribes of Lamtaput block and Damonjodi factory area in respect
to their close association with the forest. The similarity between these two study areas are
that, in both the places, people depend on forest produces. The followings are the details
on how the tribal people have been affected due to destruction of forest.
Livelihood:
As per the findings of the study, in both cases forest was the primary source of livelihood
of the tribal people. However, due to large scale destruction of forest resources, the
available forest products are now inadequate for their livelihood. In the case of Lamtaput
block, despite the scarcity of forest resources, they closely link with the forest for
livelihood and socio-cultural life. Whereas in Damonjodi, tribes are the worst sufferers of
the destruction of forest resources by the industrialisation. They have lost the forest based
source of livelihood completely and they have been displaced from their ancestral home
land. Even after more than 25 years of displacement, these tribal people do not have a
sustainable source of income. As far as the compensation policy of the NALCO is
concerned, job has been provided to one person of the displaced family but the rest of the
members were render unemployment. In the compensation package, land for land
compensation is completely ignored where they could have got the land for their
179
Conclusion
sustainable source of livelihood. The meager monetary compensation has provided to the
displaced tribes, but majority of them were not received the proper amount because they
did not have the land Patta (Land ownership document). Thus, the industrialisation has
the worst impact on the livelihood of the tribal people of Damonjodi.
In the Lamtaput block the studied villages are the home land of primitive tribal
groups. The tribal ecology of this area is mainly affected by the middle men, traders who
are involved in timber business and commercialisation of the plants which requires for
the near by the paper mill at Jeypore that has been run by Ballapur Industries Limited
(BILt). As result, the tribal rights over the traditional ownership of forest resources and
forest based livelihood have been suffered. These trends have doubled their hardship and
left many people jobless.
In the case of Damonjodi, initially people were happy with the money received by
them as their rehabilitation package. Generally people have not even imagined what will
happen after the displacement? And there was no any resistance from the general public
regarding their displacement. But gradually they felt the reality of life after deprived from
their traditional livelihood that based on forest resources.
Socio-Cultural:
Like the forest resource based livelihood, the socio-cultural and religious life of the tribal
society is closely link with the forest. Tribal people are worshipper of the nature and
believe that forest is the sacred place. In both the study areas the tribes have in-depth
tradition, rich cultural heritage, age-old custom and believes system. But in Damonjodi
area this has been gradually changing due to the impact of industrialisation. In both the
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Conclusion
places the tribals are facing problem in getting forest resources for their socio-cultural
activities, but the community solidarity is strongly present among the villagers of
Lamtaput block. In Damonjodi, the traditional socio-cultural and religious life 1s
gradually disappeared. They have lost the sacred groove i.e. forest. After displacement
the community solidarity is no more existed in the resettlement colony. In this colony,
even within the tribal community the class relation (economic class) has been very much
prevailing presently. It is found that most of the higher income groups are not interested
to cooperate with lower income people in various socio-cultural occasions. Presently the
traditional cultural life, i.e., community life, gathering has been destroyed due to the
impact of modernisation and the industrialisation. Today most of the tribal cultural
activities or festivals are gradually disappearing or whatever exists is of not purely tribal
origin. It has borrowed many of its cultural traits from the mainstream culture. Thus,
destruction of forest had affected the socio-cultural life of tribal society which is worst in
the Damonjodi than in Lamtaput block.
Health Care:
The health care patterns of the tribal people have been completely depending on forest
resources. In this regards, it is found among the tribal people of the Lamtaput block used
to collect roots, fruits, bark, leaves, flowers for preparing medicine to cure themselves
from various common diseases as well as some major cases. Some of the tribes of this
block are using the medical or physician prescribed medicines, but mostly they really on
the Aurvedic medicine. Presently tribal people are facing problem due to scarcity of
medicinal plants, but still managing from the community management forest. In the case
of Damonjodi people were worst affected after displacement and depending on hospital
181
Conclusion
for their health care. Sometimes due to the low income of the family, they are facing
financial problem to buy the medicine from the market. Undoubtedly, the health care
pattern of the tribal society has been affected due to deforestation but it is worst in the
case of Damonjodi in comparison to Lamtaput block.
Women and Forest:
Generally, women contribute very significantly in different aspect of social life. Similarly
tribal women are no exception to it. Particularly women are more closely associated with
the forest then man. In tribal society, women use to play vital role in contributing to the
livelihood of their family. In Lamtaput block women use to collect MFP, fuel wood, etc.
for livelihood and for household requirements. However, due to large scale destruction of
forest women are adversely affected and their health becomes a matter of concern. Earlier
the forest products were collected from the nearest forest of their village. But presently,
they have to go about 8 to 10 k.ms. and at the same time they are not getting as per their
requirements, i.e., fruits, roots etc. Thus, due to scarcity of these resources. they are
suffering from various malnutrition diseases. Before deforestation, they were easily
getting herbal and plant based medicines but now it became.difficult to collect. The case
of Damonjodi is something different. In Damonjodi, tribal women are completely lost the
forest based economic activities. After displacement, most of them are depending on their
head of the family for their maintenance which has reduced the social status of women at
stake. After displacement and resettlement in the resettlement colony, male members of
the family is not allowing the women to participate in the decision making process.
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Conclusion
During the survey it was found that after losing the forest based economic
activities, the tribal women in Damonjodi are compelled to work as a domestic worker in
the higher income family. However, in most of the cases it was found that, taking
advantage ofthe poverty, the employers are sexually harassing the women. Also the most
tragic part is that under the compensation policy of NALCO, it does not include any
provision for women who are widow. After losing the source of livelihood widows are
unable to rebuild their future life. In Damonjodi, the displaced tribal women are worst
affected because they have lost their economic activities as well as social status and some
of them have lost their husband who were the main bread winner in their family.
Role of Traditional Institutions:
In Lamtaput block the traditional institutions are guiding force in management of forest
resources. Since the forest officials have failed to protect the forest resources from the
illegal destruction by the mafias, and the traders, presently this institution is playing vital
role in protecting illegal destruction of forest. Although the Government of India took an
initiative to include the villagers in the management of forest resources under Joint Forest
Management Programme but due to authoritarian attitude of the local forest officials,
tribal people are losing their traditional rights over the forest resources. In Damonjodi,
the traditional institution has no more existed in the resettlement colony. After the
displacement the tribal people have lost the community solidarity which caused due to
non-existent of traditional institution at the resettlement colony in Damonjodi.
183
Conclusion
Role of Panchayati Raj Institution:
Under the PESA Act, the local self-government has endowed power to manage the forest
at the village level. The Gram Sabha has also empowered the ownership over the forest
resources for the lager interest of the tribal people. However, in Lamtaput block the
objective of the Act has not reached the tribal people due to their illiteracy and ignorance.
There are the tribal people getting elected to the Gram Panchayat due to the reservation
policy for the tribal community but they do not have knowledge on the various provisions
of the PESA Act. During the survey it was found that villagers are completely ignorant
about the PESA with regards to the management of forest resources. Further, they said
eve~. no such awareness programme has been carried out at the local level to aware the
villagers about the Act. Even the elected members of panchayat are not aware about the
Act as they are just a rubber stamp in the function of the panchayat. In Damonjodi, the
displaced people are under the Matalput Gram Panchayat. However, they have been
ignored by the local self-government because the resettlement colony is within the
periphery of the NALCO Project area. It is the distance dream of the displaced tribe
where the Gram Panchayat will move forward and preserve their traditional rights under
the PESA Act.
Further in Lamtaput block, the villagers said how the Gram Sabha can take the
responsibility in management of the village forest unless the people are aware about the
provision of the Act. The forest officials are exercising their authority as they are directed
by the government to control, protect and preserve the forest resources. Thus, the role of
the Gram Sabha is in the pen and paper, but in reality no such activities are being carried
out to manage the forest resources for the interest of the tribal people. The real sorry state
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Conclusion
of affairs for Damonjodi is that the Panchayat tries to ignore the tribals by stating that the
industrial authority is entrusted to provide all facilities and the panchayat does not
attempt to provide any facility to the displaced tribals. But those responsibilities of the
authority lies only on pen and paper and the tribals get nothing from either the industrial
authority or the panchayat.
Tribal Development Agency:
Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) is an independent body has situated m
Koraput to look after the development of the tribal society in the district. It is more than
two decades ITDA has been functioning in Koraput district, but till date no such changes
has found during the study. Tribal people have not developed their awareness and ITDA
is taking no such concrete steps to bring about socio-economic changes of the tribal
society. Most of the villager in the Lamtaput block said they do not know about the ITDA
whereas in Damonjodi they never know this agency exist in Koraput district. The
bureaucratic apathy and corruption are the stumbling block in every development
programme, it is also found in lTD A. The fact is that in the name of tribal development,
several plans and programmes have been implemented but the tribes have not achieved
sustainability in their socio-economic life.
The present study on both the areas shows that the destruction of forest and
displacement has been creating a negative impact in the socio-economic and cultural life
of the tribal people. The PESA Act has come into force in order to protect the interest of
the tribal society but the people, who suppose to get the utmost benefit from it, are not
aware about the Act. Besides this even the role of the Gram Sabha in preserving and
185
Conclusion
protecting the forest resources is not at functional at all. Thus, to achieve the objective of
the PESA Act, the government needs to take a strong step to create awareness among the
tribals and to check the bureaucratic apathy at the grassroots level as well.
Suggestions
Based on the field study, following suggestions can be put forward to implement the
designed plans and programmes effectively and more meaningfully and that will
ultimately address the living condition of the tribal communities of Orissa:
I. Every tribal should know the policies and provisions of the decentralisation and
grass roots governance through various awareness programmes. The concerned
authority should conduct some awareness programmes for the tribal leaders, who
are getting elected at the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad level.
2. The Government should take concrete step to spread awareness on PESA Act
with regards to ownership, control and management of forest resources at the
village level.
3. The devolution of power to the Gram Sabha to control the MFP at the village
level is a pipe dream in tribal areas of Orissa. To achieve this objective, the
government should facilitate the elected tribal members to know the various
provisions of the PESA through capacity building, awareness and training
programmes.
4. The government should provide all assistance to the elected tribal women to know
the provisions of the PESA and its implementation process particularly in the
context of forest resources management.
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Conclusion
5. The Gram Panchayat should be financially sound to procure the MFP from the
primary collectors of the village and pay right amount, which would check the
illegal MFP trade transactions at the village level.
6. In the Joint Forest Management Programme (JFM), the authoritative role of the
forest official should be checked while forming Vana Surakhya Samiti at the
village level.
7. The Government should recognise the Community Forest Management (CFM)
system while implementing the JFM programme at the village level. CFM system
is a much older institution which has been protecting forest resources at the
village level. To achieve the goal of the JFM, instead of forming a new institution
the CFM should be recognised and provided with all facilities, which will ensure
greater participation of villagers.
8. In the deep rooted traditional society, the concerned authority of the JFM
programme should create atmosphere for the participation of tribal women in
different meetings of the JFM. In tribal society, women generally feel shy to
speak before the male officials. To avoid such type of atmosphere, the concerned
authority should take necessary steps and appoint female officials so that it would
fill the gap of gender and the participation of female would make the JFM
programme more effective.
9. Since the development programme started in our country the victim have been the
rural tribals who depend on forest for their very existence. Prior to displace these
people from their source of livelihood, the government should ensure alternate
sustainable livelihood.
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Conclusion
I 0. The socio-cultural activities of the tribal people are closely linked with the forest
resources. To maintain the symbiotic relationship between the tribe and the forest,
the government and the promoter of industrialisation authority should grow forest
resources.
II. In any development project, the adverse effect is usually observed gender wise
and age wise, especially women and children being are the primary sufferers.
Thus the state authority should ensure better future for these people.
12. Mere compensation package can not solve the problem of displacement of tribal
people. Forest is not only the source of livelihood for the tribal people but it
provides employment to them. However, after displacement, those unskilled tribal
suffer from unemployment. Thus, before displacement the should train the tribals
so as to enable them in getting employment.
13. In every industrial area the displaced tribal people suffers from vanous health
problem. Prior to their displacement they used to take nutritious food, viz., fruits,
roots, leave etc; and were also depending on forest for medicine. Hence, the state
should provide better health f~cilities both modern as well as traditional.
Thus, the larger issue lies in economic priorities of tribals, motivational
approaches, partnership building with Panchayat, beneficiaries and forest administration,
encouraging traditional skills oriented programmes supporting capacity building are some
of the areas need to be prioritized. Unless these problems are overcome the minor forest
products and other provision on PESA would remain ineffective.
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