Collecting mahua using nets saves forests, human lives in Nagpur

Vijay Pinjarkar | TNN | Updated: Apr 23, 2020, 10:02 IST

Representative image

NAGPUR: To save forest from fires and humans from wild animals, the Nagpur forest division has initiated an innovative idea of using greens nets to collect mahua flowers.
Entire Vidarbha region is in the grip of forest fires. These are mostly ignited by people for collection of mahua flowers and tendu leaves, which are important sources of livelihood for local villagers.
“To save forest from fires, on a pilot basis we shortlisted three active women self-help groups (SHGs) from Karwahi, Salai, and Sawangi in Paoni forest range. They were given green nets that were distributed to mahua collectors on rent,” said Prabhunath Shukla, deputy conservator, Nagpur.
“These SHGs are charging Rs 50 per month for providing each green net to the villagers. These nets are tied below the mahua tree and flowers drop on them that collectors can gather. It saves them time and produce is cleaner,” says Shukla.
Otherwise ground fires are ignited to clear grass and bushes under Mahua trees so that people can collect flowers easily. These fires spread and devastate nearby forests destroying biodiversity and threatening wildlife.
Also, since collectors do not have to crouch or sit for picking up flowers, they avoid attack by predators like tigers. Several mahua collectors have been killed this summer by tigers who mistake them for animals.
“The best part is forest department buys mahua flowers from villagers who used green nets. List of such persons is being maintained by the SHGs,” said Shukla.
Nagpur division has around 1.5 lakh hectare forest area with 533 villages around it. Forest fires during summer is a major issue. During current season, seven fire incidents were reported from the division. On April 9, three mahua collectors were arrested in Kalmeshwar range for setting forest afire.
“Forest fires caused due to mahua collection destroys entire forest ecosystem. Besides, people lose life in attacks by predators. Most importantly, decreased food availability leads to spilling of wildlife in villages causing conflicts,” said district honorary wildlife warden Kundan Hate.
Incidentally, the villages where this pilot project is being implemented have not seen any fire incident this fire season. “We plan to replicate the project elsewhere next season,” Shukla said.