Context
Tribal communities in Adilabad, Telangana, are diversifying their livelihoods through lac cultivation on Palash trees and Mahua flower processing. Supported by the district administration, these initiatives promote sustainable forest resource utilisation, additional income and women-led enterprises.
Explanation
- Minor Forest Produce (MFP) includes non-timber forest resources such as bamboo, honey, lac, gums and medicinal plants, which support tribal livelihoods.
- Lac is a natural resin secreted by the lac insect (Kerria lacca), cultivated on host trees such as Palash, Kusum and Ber.
- Palash (Butea monosperma), also called Flame of the Forest, is a deciduous tree commonly found in India’s tropical forests.
- Lac cultivation involves introducing insects onto host trees and harvesting the secreted resin without felling trees, promoting sustainable forest-based livelihoods.
- In Adilabad, 286 tribal families from Kolam, Gond and Lambada communities earned ₹3,500–₹8,000 each through lac harvesting.
- Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) flowers are traditionally collected for food, beverages and other products. Tribal women are processing them into laddus through value addition.
- These initiatives involve Van Samrakshana Samitis (VSS), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and support under the Aspirational Blocks Programme.
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