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A man harvesting gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) fruits. Photo courtesy of Biodiversity Conservation Network |
Harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products, India
A honey processing unit produced 8 tons in 1996 and 15 tons in 1997, when it made a profit of over $5000. A gooseberry processing unit was estimated to produce 2000 kg in 1997, for a profit of $1300. These enterprises directly employ 10 individuals, yet help support 150 gooseberry gatherers and 50 honey hunters, as well as their families. Overall, the various enterprises, including an herbal medicine unit, provide one-sixth of a Soliga family's yearly income. Even with the modest success seen so far, the level of harvesting that the Wildlife Sanctuary can support is still uncertain. Monitoring of the forest is being done by both Soligas and scientific researchers. Some Soligas have been trained in the systematic monitoring of resources and the estimation of sustainable extraction. Scientists have collected data on the population structure, fruiting cycles, and productivity of collectable plants, and have prepared vegetation maps so that plant surveys may be reliably compared from year to year. This project links the direct benefits from harvesting and processing non-timber forest products to the ecologically sustainable management of the Biligiri Rangan Temple Wildlife Sanctuary. It helps the local communities to responsibly use the forest and protect biodiversity, while demonstrating to the national government that the Soligas can play a greater role in the sanctuary's management.
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