Considering the
fact that tribals have a symbiotic relationship with forests,
the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing a Central
Sector Scheme of Grant-in-aid to State Tribal Development Cooperative
Corporations, basically for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) operations
since 1992-93. The Corporations seek to ensure a fair price
to the tribals for MFP collection by eliminating exploitation
of middlemen. As the forest areas in the states are fast depleting
due to denudation of forests, the Government has made provision
for marketing their MFP. Funds released to the States during
the years 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 are to the tune
of Rs 905.00, 842.00 and 1280.67 lakhs respectively.
There is no specific
case of tribals living on tree roots, wild grass/plants has
come to the notice of this Ministry.
This information
was given by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs,
Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste in the Lok Sabha today.
