Scarcity Hidden In Similipal

Abstract

"This is a story about Mr Joharlal Besra, his family and his forest. He lives in Jamuani village of Jashipur Block in Mayurbhanj district. His family consists of his wife, three daughters and two sons. Their Similipal forest is very rich as it has so many valuable trees, herbs and shrubs which serve as a source of livelihood for us. Once upon a time his family was an example of a happy and prosperous family in natural resources especially forest resources. Today, the forest is ‘for their eyes’ only. His family depends very much on this hill reserve to collect several kinds of roots and tubers, flowers and fruits, leaves and barks and resins, etc. to earn livelihood, which the ecosystem provides from time immemorial. He has also realized that it is the source of their livelihood. Issues related to him and his family is the issue of all poverty ridden people of the Similipal Eco system. They need secure livelihood from their forest products. However, he feels their sufferings are overlooked. These days they are vulnerable to adverse climatic conditions like delay in monsoon or erratic rainfall and long summer. Though he has been observing climate change in Similipal since 1997 but since last 5 years the change in climate is visible. Summers in the area are very hot and humid, with mean temperatures of 45-50ºC from May to August. Winters are short, dry and mild with temperatures dropping to 14ºC in January. The mean rainfall mostly falling during the monsoon (mid-July-August).Winter rains fall from December to March and are of low intensity. Today he don`t feel any distinct seasons. The forests are also threatened by the rise in temperature, which causes decreased tree height and size of fruit, leaf, and flower. Also water scarcity due to long dry spells. There is evidence of many extreme events such as heat waves, prolonged dry spells, low intensity rainfall, forest fires in the region causing very high economic loss, destruction of biodiversity and pollution. [...]", p. 1