A CROSS THE central India, mahua trees are in full bloom. Revered as the “tree of life” by tribal communities, their flowers signal the start of a four-month season when forests generate the much-needed cash for the country’s 300 million people, living at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, and a hectic schedule for traders, processors and exporters. Lucrative produce like tendu leaves, sal seeds, bamboo, and lac, become available only during this period, and get the country’s Ì€ 20,500 crore-year forest-based economy going. “But this time the market is completely stagnant,” says Mayank Agarwal of Shree Vinayak Enterprises, a lac processor and exporter in Purulia district of West Bengal. Purulia is a major lac manufacturing and exporting hub in the country. On April 16, soon after extending the 21-day lockdown to 40 days to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Centre exempted collection and trading of lac and other nontimber forest produce (NTFP) from the rules. “It has been 10 days since the announcement. Yet I have not received any fresh raw material,” says Rakesh Gupta of Ganesh Lac Udyag in Kolkata that primarily caters to the domestic market. “This is because policies take time to translate into action in an unorganized industry like lac,” he adds. Agarwal, however, says he is not in a position to buy fresh lac even if they arrive. “I have not been able to sell my stocks as most of my clients are in countries like the US, China, and Spain that are badly hit by the pandemic,” says Agarwal.
This story is from the May 01, 2020 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 01, 2020 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT
West Bengal's Bhanga Mela (scrap fair) has pushed the limits of recycling. Organised every January at Mathurapur village in 24 South Parganas district, shops at the fair sell discarded electronic items, antiques and even non-functional goods that are in repairable condition.
A wild chase
BASED ON A 2015 PROBE THAT BUST A MAJOR IVORY SMUGGLING RACKET IN INDIA, POACHER PROVIDES A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE WORK OF FOREST OFFICIALS
Suspect claims in Teva's suit against Cipla
The US Federal Trade Commission has warned the Israeli drug firm its patents are wrongful as it sues Cipla aggressively
WATER SCARREDCITY
Bengaluru's water crisis was long in the making. The city has grown at the cost of its lakes and ponds that are key to its water security. Over 93 per cent of the city is built-up, which makes groundwater recharge difficult. Inadequate sewage systems pollute the limited water available. Over the decades, the city has become dependent on the Cauvery, 100 km away, for 70 per cent of its water needs. This makes water unaffordable. It's time Bengaluru broadened its water resource base beyond the Cauvery and focused on recharging groundwater and reusing treated wastewater.
On guard
Communities in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh reduce human-elephant conflicts using technology and proactive on-ground monitoring
Overlooked crisis
While there is much talk about climate migration, the world is without a legal framework to protect people displaced by weather disasters
Taking charge for water
A young sarpanch in Maharashtra helps his village residents avail drinking water at home
International Women's Day Special SHE
In India, women self-help groups have been a source of empowerment, fostering economic independence, social stature and community resilience.
MODERATELY YOURS
The crunchy, slightly sweet tubers of shankhalu can be a healthy addition to one's diet
TROUBLED TEAK
Farmers need to be sensitised about right planting materials and cultivation techniques to benefit from high-value teak plantations
