BALANGIR: With forest cover fast depleting in the district, the livelihood of the poor, especially the tribal communities, is under threat.Apart from agriculture, forest eco-system constitutes an important source of livelihood for the tribals of the district.
Though non-timber forest products (NTFPs) play a major role in the local livelihood, large-scale deforestation is being witnessed in the district with the continuous felling of trees.
According to an estimate, more than 30 per cent of the district’s population depends on forest for livelihood. Forests provide multiple benefits in terms of food, fibre, fodder and firewood for the poor. NTFPs such as fruits, flowers, roots, shoots and seeds are the main sources of food for the tribals.
However, indiscriminate felling of trees has put the livelihood of tribals in a jeopardy. Sources said more than 1000 cycles laden with wood enter the town daily. Moreover, a lot of people can be seen transporting loads of wood from forests on their heads. This apart, mafia transporting wood in trains is a regular affair in Turekela and Harishankar of Balangir and Lakhana in Nuapada district.
Currently, the forest cover in the district stands at only 14.71 per cent against the minimum requirement of 33 per cent.Head of Tangia Jam (Stop the Axe) committee and ecologist Gopal Hota said the forest cover is shrinking at an alarming rate in Western Odisha district of Balangir with tribals and forest dwellers staring at uncertainty over their livelihood. Moreover, forest loss is a major factor contributing to climate change and rise in temperature of the region, he said.
Contacted, Balangir Divisional Forest officer (DFO) Rashmi Ranjan Naik said there are lot of causes of forest depletion. The Forest department is making all-out efforts to protect the green cover.
The Government has launched several initiatives for planting trees. Massive public awareness is the need of the hour, the DFO said and added that forests can regulate the weather and help bring down the temperature.