Exploitation of Forests through Forest Labour Co-Operatives in Maharashtra

The forests in India are being exploited mainly through use of the (aboriginal) Adivasi labour. The Adivasi communities dwell within and on the outskirts of forest areas and provide labour for the exploitation of forests. Till Independence the Adivasis were being exploited by the forest contractors by employing them on very meagre wages and advancing credits to them in the agricultural season at very high rates of interest against surety of their labour.