Revitalization of Tribal Economy through Sustainable Tasar Culture in Maharashtra

Tribal communities mostly women belonging to Katkaria, Maria Gond and Kolam are among the primitive tribal Groups (PTGs) besides Deewar belonging to Backward Communities, who practice tasar silkworm rearing as part of their tradition and culture in the state of Maharashtra. Gadchiroli and Chandrapur are dominated by these communities who depend on tasar for their livelihood and are reported endemic poverty. BAIF Development Research Foundation, an NGO has initiated different livelihood progarmmes in north- east part of Maharashtra with special emphasis on tribal development through exploring appropriate livelihoods options such as Wadi (Horticulture orchard), improved agriculture, watershed, women development, livestock development, community development, Health & hygiene and non timber forest produce (NTFP) and integrating them for income augmentation. Result based interventions focused at strengthening traditional activity by appropriate technology inputs viz training, capacity building, demonstration, exposures, formation of activity groups, scientific rearing of silkworms, host plantation utilization and management, seed production, post cocoon activities, value addition, natural resource management and marketing linkage. Efforts on these lines helped to check distress migration and rejuvenating degraded natural recourses, which was also successfully demonstrated. Consistent efforts of BAIF over the past 7 to 8 years have created a replicable model in promotion of Tasar based livelihoods indicating an estimated incremental annual income of over Rs.8000- 10000/- from tasar silkworm rearing and Rs.2000- 4000/- additional income through allied activities like vegetable cultivation was documented. This has further gained momentum with support from Central Silk Board (CSB) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Govt. of India, under multistate tasar based livelihood project under Mahila Kisan Sashaktikarna Pariyojana (MKSP- NTFP) being implemented by BAIF in Maharashtra. The project planned to provide over 5800 sustainable livelihoods for the marginalized households, specially seeking involvement of Scheduled tribe communities and women in Gadchiroli, Gondia, Chandrapur and Yevotmal district of Maharashtra. The project will strengthen and enhance livelihoods with improved quality of tribal through training, capacity building and provide appropriate infrastructure facility for augmenting income and employment opportunities. Project models planned in institution and capacity building besides integrating various livelihood options tried at pilot scale by the NGO on a scale.