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ABOUT THE DANGS DISTRICT It is located on the South-eastern part of Gujarat, bordering Maharashtra. The population is predominantly tribal, mainly belonging to Kotwalia, Kolga, Kathodi (all primitive tribes), Warli, Dangi Bhils and Kunbi (Konkana) tribes. The district has a good forest cover and has Poorna Wildlife Sanctuary. Since the formation of Gujarat State, Dangs was given considerable attention but due to its hilly terrain as the area is bordering Sahayadri range and easy availability of land, not much industrial development could take place. At present, it is one of the slow developing talukas which have been identified by the State Government for intensive attention. THE PRACTICE OF RAAB CULTIVATION a. The Problem Tribals of the Dangs practice a unique system of agriculture called raab since the late eighteenth century. They were allowed to cultivate land in the protected forest even after independence on the ground that they have inhabited this region for more than 100 years. The land allocated to the Dangis is called malki or private land. The usual practice of raab is to pile up leaf litter and lopped biomass from the forest on a small plot of land (40-50 sq. m.) up to 2-3 ft high and then burn it. On an average, 750 kg of biomass is used in a plot of above mentioned size. Seeds of millet and cereals are sown after the first shower. Once the rains start, the area around this plot is ploughed and the germinated crop seedlings with an average height of 40-60 cm are transplanted to the prepared land. Weeding is carried out periodically and the crops are harvested after the monsoon in October/November. Raab cultivation is a traditional practice of Dangis which was sustainable when population pressure was low and natural recuperation of soil fertility was facilitated by the long fallow phases. However, it is perceived that this practice may no longer be sustainable in the long run considering the rapid growth of population, continual increase in demand for agricultural land and dry biomass. The practice is putting immense pressure on the adjoining forests of Purna Wild Life Sanctuary as the local communities staying in and around the sanctuary is collecting biomass from the forest for practicing raab. The fires in the agricultural field sometimes escape and burn the trees in the malki land as well as in the forest. This cultivation practice, therefore, makes Purna Wildlife Sanctuary highly vulnerable. b. Possible Interventions Modifications of the current practice of cultivation of finger millet (Elusine coracana) and paddy (Oryza sativca) can support biodiversity conservation and ensure sustainable livelihoods for the local communities in Dangs district in Gujarat. There is a need to discuss the nature of possible modifications of the current practice of the cultivation which will not only support conservation of forests of Purna Wildlife Sanctuary but also will provide enhanced return from agriculture. It will encourage the tribals to practice raab without burning biomass collected from the forests. There is also a possibility to promote cultivation of the traditional crops instead of using high yielding varieties to support the biodiversity conservation in the region. Forward |
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