Usufruct of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia Roxb. A. Chev.) Resources for Livelihood Enrichment of Local Communities

Abstract

The present study was carried out during April, 2015–June, 2016 at Navsari Agriculutral University, Gujarat, to draw the information about the preference of mahua by the communities in the Gujarat state through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology. Indian butter tree (Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia) is one of the most important timber and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) especially flower, fruits and seeds have a major role in the rural economy in tropical India. Since long, local communities and forest dwellers have been using mahua resources for food, medicine, forage and many other domestic purposes. Study quantified the collection of mahua resources, utilization pattern as well as extent and challenges involved in marketing. Paper also highlighted the importance of these native resources in the rural livelihood and level of domestic usage of mahua. Results pointed out that people were more concerned about the self sustenance rather than gaining profit out of this. In the season, entire family members were fully engaged in mahua collection irrespective of age or gender, especially during the lean period that created the employment in real sense and helped to reduce the migration from rural to urban area in some extent. There were lots of efforts initiated from Government to provide a fair price for mahua resources. However, despite Government efforts still there is no stable market price at local level. Silvicultural, technological and policy interventions are highly needed in the sustainable management of this valuable species to enhance the rural livelihood.