Pankaj Oudhia

Sustainable harvesting of forest produces exists in papers not in ground level

“Sustainable harvest practices have been adopted and in order to get matured Safed Musli tribal have fixed bamboo sticks in spots where underground Musli tubers are present. So, this time you will get matured Musli from our department.” The head of forest department was making such statement in every workshop. I am quoting the incidence when Chhattisgarh was establishing as new state. I have mentioned in previous research articles that matured Musli is used in Traditional Healing and in forest when Musli matures it looses its leaves and it is hard to know where it is present inside soil. That’s why the herb collectors collect it before maturity. As result when it is used as medicine it fails to give the desirable effects. In commercial cultivation of Safed Musli it is not a difficult task to get matured Musli. But what the forest head was claiming is practically not feasible. In forest where Musli grows naturally not only herb collectors but wild animals also visit.

The Traditional Healers prefer to collect matured Musli from forest directly. “We are visiting to this forest since generations and we are aware of spots where it grows. We dig the spots and after much hard work we get matured tubers. We get many other tubers while digging as bonus. Fixing bamboo sticks in those spots throughout forest is not possible.” They commented.

After the statement of the forest head every time I never missed to see the faces of his co-workers. They make fun of it but the young researchers listening the lecture carefully were taking it seriously. They quoted this unique sustainable harvesting method in papers published in national and international journals. During long experiences of attending such workshops I have observed that top official made baseless claims on this aspect. It seems that they never visit to forest and also not discuss the ground level situation with forest workers directly associated with forest.

Few years back I was informed that in Chhattisgarh now herb collectors are adopting sustainable harvesting methods. In North Chhattisgarh the herb collectors were collecting Pueraria tuberosa tubers by adopting this practice. How? After collecting tubers they leave a tuber in same spot so that it can give birth of new plant and in this way they can get it year by year. It was a claim. I was invited there to see it and then mention it in my articles. “In fact, we have learnt about this harvest practice from your research documents. You have mentioned many times that the Healers of Chhattisgarh are adopting this method since time immemorial but the herb collectors are not. As result the population of such herbs is decreasing. That’s why we have decided to educate the herb collectors.” One of my friends working in the forest department informed. I decided to visit the place.

It was perfect show. Few villagers projected as herb collectors were engaged in digging. The operation was very slow. They were very careful. After collection of tubers they left one small tuber in spot. Photographs were taken. “But it is not right time for harvest. I think that after 20-25 days it will be ready for harvest.” I objected. “It was just demonstration sir. Please ignore our fault.” They requested. I returned back but before writing about it I decided to visit the area again but this time without informing the officers.

I visited to the spot and interacted with villagers. The Healers were with me. “It was mere an eye wash. Destructive harvesting is still in progress.” The truth came in surface.

I refused to write on it. Few months after it the officers showed me copies of news clippings and reports. They published the operation in desired words in media. But the situation in ground remained the same. It is general trend. Many times I see such reports in publications of prestigious organizations like FAO. I was informed many times that International forest consultants visit to the state but I have never heard or seen that they have visited to tribal without any information. They visit to specific spots where officials send them. The respondents deliver pre-practiced comments and the consultants return with the report prepared in air conditioned room or star hotels. What is the meaning of such false reports?

Through my writings I always try to expose such frauds not to defame such organizations but to warn them to keep close view on their experts presenting false reports and spoiling the impression of organizations. “It is common trend throughout world.” Many of them may say but I say, if it is trend everywhere then situation is terrible and such visits must be banned. The representatives of Indigenous people can complete this task with honesty and sincerity.

Please correct me if I am wrong?  

Don’t ask for all publications in printed form, ask for selected publications      

“Dear Dr. Oudhia, I have read many of your articles on medicinal herbs on the internet. You are doing a wonderful work. I appreciate it very much. Congratulations. I am a hobbyist herbalist. Would you please let me if all of your articles are available in printed book form? Please let me know how many articles are available and at what price? I shall be grateful.”  I received this message from New Delhi through post. I contacted the sender through phone. “It is not possible to send all articles in printed form.” I informed. “I am ready to pay the charges then why you are not ready to give the articles? Say how much is the charge?” I got this reply.

I couriered list of publications in year 2009 so far, in printed form. It was of plus 1600 pages (A4 size). Very soon I got call from Delhi “I am surprised to receive this huge never ending list. Now I can understand that it is difficult to get all articles in printed form.” He said. “Over 650,000 pages are already online. You can download it from internet. The size will be around 10 GB. The Diabetes report is of plus 1TB. It is not possible to take its prints. If you wish I can send it in tens of DVDs. But it will take much time.” I tried to explain the problem. “No, I am not a user of computer. I wanted to keep your work in my library in printed form but now I will keep the selected publications.” He sent print out charges for 1600 pages and also for list of publications in other years.

Few weeks back I was watching movie in Innox, Raipur. During interval few college students met me. They were students of Botany. “It is really surprising to see you in theatre. We were expecting that you write day and night.” They showed surprise. “I am normal person and instead of writing too much in a day I try to remain sincere in writing. I write almost every day. When I travel or visit to forest I never write. I am aware that if I write continuously without any break till end of life even then I will not be able to complete the documentation work. I have to remain fit till end so that I can write at least. That’s why I meet to friends, play games and see movies.” I explained.

“It is not good. I am seeing dark circles around your eyes again. It means you are sleeping late and working more and more in computer.” My mother said with worry. “Yes, you are right. Workload has increased.” I replied. “You have already contributed enough in your field. Now enjoy your life and sit less in computer. If you will not follow my order I will stop talking with you.” She warned. I am writing this article late night and few seconds back I heard knockings on my door. Worried Mom is standing.

“Our state head must know about your contributions. Please give me the list of your selected publications so that I can show it to him.” Eminent journalist and social worker Shri B.P.Mishr requested me. Without any delay I presented him list of publications of year 2006-2007 in form of few hundred pages. “It is really surprising. No one use internet in India. You have written much in internet but see no one in India knows about your contributions. Please publish it in form of books. You have to do nothing. Categorize your articles and publish it.” He reacted. I thanked him and informed that I am already working on plans of book publication. Shri Mishr is in process to show the publication list to the state head.

It is bitter truth that in India internet is still used less. It is also fact that it is next to impossible to publish my complete work in printed form. I always give thanks to computer, internet and modern technologies for making the hard work of writing and publication easy. I am expecting that in future when more people will start using Internet my work will become useful in real sense.

As you know new surveys are resulting in new information. I feel helpless when I collect this information. Already thousands of formulations are waiting for proper documentation. I am in search of dedicated researchers to handle it.

“I am Librarian of your university. Please send a copy of your articles for students. We are expecting that you will give it without taking any charge.” I got this call today. Now I have to repeat the whole story again.

I decided to write it in form of article so that such requests can be diverted directly to it.

© Pankaj Oudhia