Role of Lac Culture in the Conservation of Biological Diversity : Fieldwork Findings from Purulia District in West Bengal

Paradoxically Purulia, which is a natural resource abundant district, is the most backward district in West Bengal. Tribal people maintain their subsistence by using those resources. Diverse small and cottage industries including lac are being run by natural resources. However, evidence reveals that for the last three decades Lac industry has been deteriorating in this district. In consequence, the tribal communities are in great crisis. The natural vegetations involved in lac cultivation (host plants of lac insects) have lost their importance to the poor inhabitants and become 'trash tree'. They cut them down indiscriminately as 'fire-wood'. As a result, lac-associated biodiversity is declining and the environmental balance is being disturbed. In such an adverse situation, this article seeks to disclose that adequate action should be undertaken to reduce or rule the deteriorating condition of lac industries, and thereby to restore both the biodiversity and the economic sustainability of the tribal people.