A study on Commercial and Economic Dependency of Tribal Communities on Mahua in Bastar Region,Chhattisgarh, India.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65578/kavyasetu.v2.i4.204Keywords:
Mahua Economy, Tribal Livelihoods, Minor Forest Produce, Bastar, Informal Markets, Economic Dependency, Rural Income SystemsAbstract
The socio-economic architecture of tribal livelihoods in the Bastar region of Bastar is profoundly intertwined with forest-based subsistence systems, wherein Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) emerges as a pivotal bio-resource. This study investigates the multidimensional commercial and economic dependency of indigenous communities on Mahua, conceptualized as both a subsistence commodity and a quasi-monetary asset. Employing a quantitative analytical framework supported by hypothetical survey data (n = 300 households), the study explores income generation, seasonal dependency, and market fluctuations. The findings indicate that Mahua functions as a “rural liquidity instrument,” contributing significantly to household income diversification, gendered labor participation, and informal market integration. However, structural constraints such as price volatility, regulatory restrictions, and ecological degradation undermine its economic potential. The paper concludes with policy-oriented recommendations emphasizing value chain formalization and sustainable forest governance.
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