Indigenous Method of Tapping Gum-Butea and its Impact on Livelihood of Saharia Tribe in Central India

A study was conducted in Tikamgarh district in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh to document traditional techniques of tapping gum-butea and its impact on socioeconomic life of local Saharia inhabitants. The findings revealed that traditional method of collecting gum-butea followed by Saharias appears to have sound scientific basis. Yield of gum-butea was significantly correlated with tree girth (GBH) (r = 0.841; P≤0.01) and stem surface area (r = 0.804; P≤ 0.01). On an average, a tribal family earned ` 677 in a season which was not consistent across community (CV = 83.2%). Significant correlation existed between number of man-days employed and trees approached (r = 0.525, P = 0.01), total gum collected (r = 0.938; P≤0.01), and money earned (r = 0.774; P≤ 0.01). However, employment of more man-days did not yield proportional increase in collected gum. Trading process is traditional in nature and only limited outlets in the form of local pansaris (traders) and bichauliye (middle men) are available to gum collectors for selling their produce. The Saharias are compelled to sell gum-butea at low price (` 40 to 50 per kg). The study concluded that contribution of gum-butea in improving economic status of local tribes can be enhanced by removing inconsistency in making cuts on stem-bark and providing proper marketing channel.