As part of this, the Plan's approach paper is likely to address livelihood issues of tribals and other marginalised forest-dependent population. This is likely to include the proposal to introduce a minimum support price for minor forest produce like bamboo and tendu leaves.
In most areas, the collection and sale of minor forest produce provides the mainstay for the livelihood of tribals and other forest dwellers. Improving earnings will have both an economic impact but also provide the basis of a response to the stranglehold Maoist have in the forest areas. This is perhaps another reason why the long standing demand of a minimum support price for minor forest produce is finally gaining momentum.
Even as the preparations for the Twelfth plan period are underway, the environment ministry is moving ahead with its efforts and ground work to ensure a minimum support price (MSP) is fixed for minor forest produce (MFP) . Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has reiterated his ministry's commitment to work with the Planning Commission, ministries of tribal affairs and panchayati raj to make this possible. Read the full report here.
Source: Urmi A Goswami, ET Bureau, Economic Times, New Delhi.
