June 2003,the Rainforest Information Centre has donated US$1000 to The Academy of Development Sciences (ADS) to commence this project to protect the Katkari tribal group who are teetering on the brink of extinction.

March 2004 ADS Report on their work with the Katkari www.rainforestinfo.org.au/projects/india/katkari report.htm
John Seed and Neil Pike will be filming the Katkari this month to produce a fund-raising video for their protection

AN APPEAL TO SAVE THE KATKARIS :
A PRIMITIVE FOREST TRIBE FROM MAHARASHTRA

Submitted to
Implementing agency

Rainforest Information Centre, Australia
BothENDS, Netherlands
The Onaway Trust, UK
Misereor, Germany Academy of Development Science
Kashele Post, Karjat Taluka
Raigad District, Maharashtra 410 201
India

DATE
APRIL 2003

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Katkari tribal group is teetering on the brink of extinction. The Katkari community, a primitive forest tribe based mostly in Raigad and Thane Districts of Maharashtra, lives in abject poverty. Even in 2003 they continue to work as bonded labour for their "sheth" (master). Their exploitation by non-tribals is total and absolute. They have been converted into a cheap and bonded labour force by their fellow human beings. The police department harasses them at will and treats them like a "criminal tribe". While the Indian Government would deny the presence of slavery, the Katkaris are slaves and much more. All development programmes, Government or Non-Government, bypass the Katkaris.

The life expectancy of Katkaris has reduced in recent years and the Katkaris, as a tribe, may be on their way out, unless urgent efforts are made to reverse the trend. While animals, plants, insects and even microbes attract a lot of attention (and resources) for conservation and rehabilitation, nobody seems to be bothered about the unique and unusual Katkaris.

An attempt is made here (it is unfortunate that this had to take on a "project" form) to issue an appeal to the international community to save the Katkari tribe from extinction.

Academy of Development Science (ADS), in collaboration with NGOs and individuals in Raigad and Thane District, is striving to address basic survival issues facing the community. The process will hopefully emancipate Katkaris from slavery and bring about improvements in their socio-economic status.

A matter of survival for the Katkaris ……

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

A number of tribal communities - Thakur, Mahadev Koli, Katkari, Warli, Kokna, etc. - live in Thane and Raigad District. Most tribal groups are socio-economically marginalised. Their livelihoods are totally dependent on agriculture and forests. Most of them are small & marginal farmers or landless labourers. The single rainfed crop of cereals is unable to feed families for more than 6 months.

Forests provide a wide range of uncultivated foods (vegetables, tubers/rhizomes, fish, game, birds) for consumption as well as marketable NTFPs like gum, gunj leaves, gulvel, mahua flowers, tendu patta, tubers, honey, wild fruits, etc. Some of the NTFPs are exchanged in barter while others are sold for cash. For instance, gum is bartered for pulses or potatoes/onions while gunj leaves fetch cash. However, the availability of forest produce has declined considerably due to deforestation. This has had an adverse effect on the food security and livelihood of tribals.

There is no employment in the region apart from felling trees for forest contractors or working as labourers in fields or on government jobs. Deforestation has resulted in decreased employment to those engaged in tree felling. In any case, tree felling benefits a minority of the population for a short period of time.

Cash is a scarce commodity and quite often tribals do not have cash even for requirements like purchase of food grains or other essential commodities. Unforeseen requirements or bigger problems like marriages, house construction or repairs, illness or death in the family, etc. are even more difficult to manage. The only alternative they have is to borrow in cash or kind from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates. Tribals often find it difficult to repay the moneylender's loan.

THE KATKARIS

Katkari, Kathkari or Kathodi is one of the three 'Primitive Tribal Groups ' in Maharashtra along with Madhia Gond and Kolam. The name Katkari is reported to have been derived from their profession of making "Kath" or catechu from the Khair tree (Acacia catechu). Katkaris are known for their physical strength, endurance and hunting-gathering skills.

Katkaris are socially and economically on the lowest rungs of the development ladder. Most of the families are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty, indebtedness and bonded labour. All able-bodied men, women and children work as bonded labour on brick kilns in far away places.

The entire Katkari tribe has, at one time or another, been experts in specific professions. For instance, the occupation of making Kath was a speciality of Katkaris. The number of Katkaris practising this trade gradually declined as the population of Khair trees went down and a ban was imposed on the felling of the tree (around 1968). The Katkaris then collectively became expert charcoal makers until the Government of Maharashtra banned the making of charcoal from wood (around 1985). It was at this point of time that the Katkaris turned towards brick making. Today the Katkaris are considered expert brick makers and the entire group is engaged in this profession.

An important observation regarding the different vocations followed by Katkaris is the fact that each profession has been 'owned' and 'controlled' by non-tribal outsiders. The Katkaris have always participated as "workers" and even "slaves".

Katkaris are cheated, exploited and made to work under sub-human conditions on the brick kilns. Sexual exploitation of Katkari women is common while men are often beaten up, and even killed. Quite obviously, such "accidental" deaths of Katkaris are never reported or investigated. On the contrary, whenever Katkaris try to protest against the exploitation, brick kiln owners file cases of robbery and theft against the Katkari families in the police station. The Katkaris are then harassed by the Police and treated like a "criminal tribe". The treatment of Katkaris as a "criminal tribe" and their harassment by police are major reasons for the continuing subjugation of Katkaris.

Where will the next meal come from …..

Patiently waiting for the fish to come in …..
Families migrate to brick kilns for 6-7 months during the dry period, returning to their villages in the months of monsoon. Work on the brick kiln begins at 6-7 AM in the morning and goes on till 7-8 PM. Men, women, adolescent girls and small children work in the harsh conditions. Each Katkari family is allowed to build a small makeshift hut. The living conditions are squalid, to say the least.

THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF BRICK MAKING

An effort is made here to understand the economics of brick making in the life of an average Katkari family.

A Katkari family (husband, wife and small children) makes about 1,500 bricks per day. The Katkaris work for 6 days in a week, the weekly bazaar day being an off day. In some cases, even this holiday is not permitted. In a month, the Katkaris produce about 36,000 bricks. Assuming losses, breakages; it can be said that a family makes about 30,000 bricks in a month. At Rs.160 for thousand bricks, each family should earn upto Rs.4,800 per month.

Katkaris work for 6 to 7 months on brick kilns. So in a year, each family should earn something like Rs.29,000 to 33,600 working on brick kilns.

In reality the Katkari family gets Uchal (advance) of Rs.2,000 to 3,000 once in a year and Kharchi (wages) of Rs. 250 to 300 per week. That is, Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,200 per month or Rs. 6,000 to Rs.7,200 in wages over a period of 6-7 months. The advance and the interest are continuously deducted from wages. Considering an advance of Rs. 3,000 and wages of Rs.7,200; a Katkari family gets underpaid by anywhere between 19,000 to 23,400 in a year.

Assuming an average 15-20 years of work on brick kilns; a Katkari family is deprived of a minimum of Rs. 450,000 of its rightful wages during its lifetime.

The Katkaris have contributed, literally brick by brick, to build and rebuild major urban centres like Mumbai, Pune, Panvel, New Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, etc. However, the brick enterprise has not given them anything in return, apart from exploitation and bondage.

The Government does not make any efforts to ensure proper work and payment norms for Katkaris on brick kilns since the brick units are owned by the powerful builder lobby. There is a lack of political will and courage in addressing the issue of bonded labour on brick kilns.
The money earned on brick kilns is not enough to support families during monsoon. As a result, many families return from the brick kilns with loans from their sheth. As a matter of fact, sheths visit their captive villages before Ganesh Chathurti festival (August-September) and forcibly give loans to all the "bonded" families. Katkaris spend the money on lavish celebrations and gambling during the Ganesh Chathurti festival. This loan is deducted from wages earned by the family during the next season. Needless to say, the interest is exorbitant and the payment of wages inappropriate. The custom of taking the annual loan puts Katkaris in a debt trap. Brick kiln owners then forcibly take away Katkari people immediately after the monsoon season.

Katkaris are paid wages once in a week. The actual wages are Rs.160 per 1000 bricks, but the owners give a rate of Rs.160 per 1150 bricks, assuming 150 bad bricks per thousand. Wages are never paid properly since the never-ending interest is deducted from the wages and the wages earned are not calculated properly.

Katkari children growing up on a brick kiln ….

(It is difficult to take photographs on brick kilns since the owners are suspicious of outsiders.)

Katkaris are also experts in stone crushing, tree felling and charcoal making. Some of the families are engaged in these trades and are known to migrate seasonally to distant regions for employment (and survival). However, in all these vocations, Katkaris are not paid proper wages and treated as bonded labour.

A majority of the Katkari families are landless. Those who own land generally do not have any paddy fields. As a result Katkaris have not turned towards agriculture for their livelihood. However, some of them have been cultivating crops on forest land. It is indeed a sorry state of affairs that tribals, who are the original inhabitants of this land, are today landless and staying on land owned by someone else. It is sad to hear Katkaris being termed "encroachers".

Katkaris continue to be hunter-gatherers when they are not working as bonded labour on brick kilns. They have tremendous knowledge about uncultivated foods like fish, crabs, animals, birds, tubers/rhizomes, wild vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. It is indeed amazing to see Katkari women drawing out crabs from their holes during summer months by rubbing two stones to imitate the sound of cloudbursts. ADS has done a study to understand the hunting-gathering skills of Katkaris and the results provide an amazing insight into the ingenuity and wisdom of Katkaris for survival.

Katkaris are expert fishermen, swimmers, divers, archers and marksmen. They are famous for their strength, endurance and hunting-gathering skills. Katkaris are the only tribal group (in Raigad-Thane region) who eat rodents (they even have a religious festival pertaining to rodents). Katkaris not only catch rodents, they also track down the food grains stored by rodents in their burrows. Food grains collected from the burrows are an important source of nutrition during food deficit periods.

The loss of forests has had an adverse effect on the diets of Katkaris due to the diminished availability of uncultivated foods. The food and nutritional security of Katkaris are thus critical issues. People report that Katkaris, who were the strongest physically amongst tribal groups in the Raigad-Thane region, have today been reduced to the weakest due to food shortages, poor diets and alcoholism.

Katkari men, women and children have a strong affinity for alcohol. Whether it is due to a desire to enjoy or an effort to escape from the reality of poverty and indebtedness, needs to be probed thoroughly. Katkaris spend whatever money they have earned on alcohol and on watching Hindi movies. These are the two major obsessions of Katkaris. It is estimated that a Katkari family spends between 60-70 % of its income on alcohol and entertainment. Barely 30% is spent on food. Alcoholism is taking a heavy toll of the Katkaris. It is leading to a loss of vigour in the tribe. One can already see a weak and wasting lot of Katkaris in the villages. The life expectancy of Katkaris has declined in recent years and the Katkaris, as a tribe, may be on their way out.

To make matters worse, the custom of early marriage is still common amongst the Katkaris. Girls marry at an age of 10-14 years and by 20-25, they look almost old. The Government of Maharashtra does not have any data on child mortality, deaths during pregnancy, etc. but these are common amongst Katkaris.

Bonded labour on brick kilns ….
On the social front, most Katkari hamlets are located close to non-tribal villages since these provide some wage opportunities. Katkari houses are made of karvi reed and a low roof thatched with grass. The houses are very small, often consisting of a single room. There is no foundation. Moisture seeps in through the mud floor during monsoon and this has a negative effect on the health of Katkaris, particularly children, women and older people. Houses and surroundings are dirty and unkempt.

Katkari hamlets are generally located on lands owned by non-tribals or the forest department. As a result, Katkari families always remain under the control of the land owner or the forest department. The owner does not allow them to build better houses or to develop a drinking water source by digging a well. In some Katkari villages there are instances of the land owner harassing Katkari families who were provided improved houses by the Government (under the Indira Awas Yojana). The Katkari families took away the roofing tiles from their houses and migrated to another village. In another place, a non-tribal person from the neighbouring village claimed that the village land belonged to him as soon as a tar road was built upto the Katkari village. Katkaris hence always live under fear. The issue of land ownership in tribal settlements needs to be addressed on a priority basis.

Given the seasonal migration of families, Katkari children are deprived of access to education. Those who manage to go to schools find the syllabus so demanding and unfriendly that they drop out at an early stage.

Government programmes for the upliftment of tribal communities (mainly the Integrated Tribal Development Programme - ITDP) bypass the Katkaris. Interestingly, a large number of Katkari hamlets are not eligible for support under ITDP since they are located outside the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP). Katkaris are forced to stay outside the TSP for reasons of employment from non-tribal villages.

WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE KATKARIS MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO .....

The Katkaris are labourers and firewood sellers. Their women are hardworkers and help them by hawking headloads of firewood. Katkaris, as a rule, are much darker and slimmer than the other forest tribes. Their women are tall and slim, singularly dirty and unkempt, and the children can always be known by their gaunt and pinched look. They have no peculiar language and show no signs of ever having had one. They rank among the very lowest tribes, their touch being thought to defile. Their huts are of mud-daubed karvi with a peaked roof thatched with palm leaves. Poor as the hut is, there is generally a separate cook-room. As a rule the only furniture is a few earthen pots and pans, several hens and dogs, a few fishing traps, perhaps a bow and arrows, and a couple of stones for crushing kusai seed. They eat every sort of flesh, except the cow and the brownfaced monkey. They never work, unless forced by want. The men generally wear a lioncloth, a blanket, and some tattered cloth round their heads. The women wear a robe and no bodice. They are very poor, being much given to drinking, and passing days together without wholesome food.

"Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, 1883".

Katkaris have been treated as a criminal tribe since a long time, although official records continue to deny the fact . In recent years Katkaris are being increasingly associated with thefts and robberies, especially along roadsides and highways. It is understandable that some of them may be forced to resort to such inhuman means for earning a livelihood, out of desperation. However, it would be erroneous to conclude that all Katkaris are bearers of a criminal streak by 'birth'. The day would not be far when Katkaris, as a tribe, are once again elevated to the status of a criminal tribe in the "Habitual Offenders Act".

Katkaris are totally unorganised and as a result people find it easy to exploit them. Government lacks the political will to help the community since Katkaris do not form a major vote bank. These and many other factors contribute to the continuing poverty and marginalisation of Katkaris.

Life continues to be more or less the same for the Katkaris from the day when an attempt was made to profile them in the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency in the year 1883, except, perhaps, for their bondage on brick kilns and the renewed identity as a criminal tribe! This gives the impression that concerted efforts are being made by the Government, police, business community, traders and all non-tribals to over-exploit Katkaris to an extent where they cease to exist!

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

There is an urgent need to initiate comprehensive development work for the Katkari community. While efforts are needed at several fronts, a proper survey of all Katkari families and hamlets is a priority. The survey will assist in identifying problems of individual Katkari families and hamlets. It may not be possible to do everything at the same time. It also needs to be understood that any development work with the Katkari community would be a fairly long-term affair, given their socio-economic status and level of marginalisation. Development interventions for Katkaris would have to consider the following:

* Ownership of land on which their village is located (Gaothan).
* Ownership of agricultural land to landless Katkari families (forest encroachments, ceiling lands, encroachments by outsiders on ceiling lands, Dalli land, Eksali land, etc).
* Assistance to take up agriculture and land-based livelihoods (land improvement, soil fertility, soil & water conservation, subsistence credit, agricultural inputs, tree planting, etc).
* Land for building houses (Gharthan).
* Better houses.
* Livelihood skills.
* Gainful employment.
* Drinking water sources near villages.
* Better and meaningful education for children.
* Improved access to health care.
* A legal study of the historical aspects pertaining to the identification of Katkaris as a "criminal tribe"; the present-day consequences; reasons for harassment of Katkaris by the Police; and necessary corrections in the judicial and police systems to prevent atrocities and harassment of Katkaris.
* Treatment of Katkaris on par with other citizens of the country; with assured human and other rights.

There are many other related issues that need to be addressed. This is a tall order but a beginning has to be made somewhere. As an organisation working with tribal communities in Raigad and Thane Districts, ADS is deeply concerned about the plight of the Katkaris. ADS is collaborating with other NGOs involved in work with Katkaris in Raigad and Thane District.


THIS IS AN APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ASSIST THE COALITION OF NGOS IN RAIGAD AND THANE DISTRICT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SAVE THE KATKARIS. 2004 MIGHT WELL SEE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN THE LIVES OF KATKARIS.



In search of better living conditions (and better lives) …


THE IMMEDIATE, URGENT CONCERNS

It is unfortunate that the Government seems to be least bothered about the plight of the Katkari community. Apart from recording the population of Katkaris in the 1981 census, there is little that the Government knows about the present development status of the Katkaris.

The lack of information about the development status, socio-economic indicators, health & nutrition status, etc. amongst individual tribal groups is a serious lacunae in Government policy and could only indicate the Government's resolve to "detribalise" the tribals and to integrate them into the "mainstream" - socially, culturally and religiously. The economic situation of tribals is not as important in the "integration" and "mainstreaming" efforts. The entire tribal community can be converted into a cheap labour force, as has been done in the case of Katkaris.

One of the most authoritative publications on tribal communities in India (an Anthropological Survey of India publication titled "Scheduled Tribes"), gives incomplete and misleading information about the Katkaris. This shows the connivance of Government research institutions in generating "user-friendly" and "convenient" information to suit the needs of the Government.

NGOs based in Raigad and Thane would be able to do generate much more accurate and reliable information about Katkaris through a house-to-house survey in Katkari villages at a fraction of the cost it would have taken the Anthropological Survey of India to generate misleading information. Findings of the survey can form the basis for comprehensive development work with the Katkaris.

A proper survey of Katkaris is thus the immediate, urgent concern.


THE PROPOSAL

ADS and its partner NGOs in Raigad and Thane are keen on implementing a comprehensive development programme for the Katkari community. ADS would like to make a beginning by conducting a systematic survey in Katkari villages of Karjat, Murbad and Sudhagad-Pali Talukas. The survey will assist in the identification of problems facing individual families and villages. Findings of the survey can then be used to devise a meaningful strategy for development work with the Katkari community.

The survey will be the first step towards a comprehensive development programme for the Katkaris. Many supplementary proposals for the Katkaris will emerge from the survey. However, important issues like land ownership amongst Katkaris will have to be taken up soon.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

* A team of field workers will be deputed for the programme.
* Capacity building of staff will be undertaken to enhance their knowledge and skills pertaining to land issues; forest issues; survey methodology; state legislation; state policies; Government programmes and schemes for tribal communities; etc. They will be taught to measure land, to draw maps, etc.
* Training programmes will be organised for elected representatives on rules concerning tribal land issues. Elected representatives will be explained the role that they can play is assisting Katkaris in their endeavour to sort out land issues.
* A detailed questionnaire will be prepared in consultation with Katkari families and researchers who have worked on issues related to tribal development.
* A detailed survey will be conducted in 120 Katkari villages (40 each in Karjat, Murbad and Sudhagad-Pali Talukas). The thrust of the survey will be on assessing the socio-economic condition; details of individual land issues; forest-based livelihoods; village land ownership; basic amenities; education; health & nutrition; etc. for individual families and Katkari hamlets.
* The survey methodology will be meetings in villages; informal discussion with Katkari families; house-to-house survey; PRAs; discussion with researchers, Government officials, etc.
* The data will be compiled and analysed.
* Land ownership and forest issues will be highlighted and specific proposals will be sent to Government Departments for corrective action.
* A photographic report on the Katkari situation will be prepared.
* Findings of the survey will be brought out in the form of a report. The report will form the basis of a comprehensive development programme for the Katkari community.
* A copy of the report will be sent to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, to share findings of the work with Katkaris. The Government may feel inclined to replicate the approach with the other Primitive Tribal Groups in the country.
HOW WILL THE PROPOSAL BE IMPLEMENTED?

ADS will implement the project in collaboration with NGOs from Raigad and Thane District. Van Niketan (Murbad Taluka); Shramik Mukti Sanghatna (Murbad, Shahpur Taluka); and SOBTI (Sudhagad Pali Taluka) will participate in the project along with ADS.

Methodology of the survey will be informal discussion, meetings in villages, PRAs, unstructured interviews, meetings with elected representatives, meetings with government officials, etc.



LOCATION OF PROJECT

The survey work will be carried out in 40 villages each of three Talukas: Karjat, Sudhagad-Pali and Murbad (in Raigad and Thane District). The three sites are more or less representative of the Katkari situation in the Raigad-Thane region. The data from the 120 villages can thus be used to design a comprehensive development strategy for the entire Katkari community.



DURATION OF PROJECT

Duration of the project will be 12 months. A period of 12 months is essential to ensure proper implementation of the planned activities.


FOLLOW UP

Findings of the survey will form the basis for designing a comprehensive development programme for the Katkaris. In the initial stages, priority will be given to issues like land ownership, Gaothan, improved livelihoods, prevention of atrocities and harassment by police; better houses, drinking water, health care; education, etc.

Findings of the survey will be shared with government officials and policy makers in efforts to influence government policy pertaining to Primitive Tribal Groups.



EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

* The survey will aid in the identification of problems facing individual Katkari families and villages.
* The survey report will be an important tool to highlight the plight of the Katkari community and to influence government policy pertaining to Primitive Tribal Groups.
* Finally, the exercise will help in a better understanding of issues facing the Katkari community and in evolving a comprehensive development programme for the Katkaris.


WHAT EXPERIENCE AND FACILITIES DOES ADS AND ITS PARTNER NGOS HAVE?

ADS and its partner NGOs have been working on tribal development issues in Raigad and Thane District for over 20 years. Some of the programmes of these NGOs have been taken up for replication Government agencies and other NGOs in different regions.

ADS has been given the "Tribal Welfare Organisation" award by the Government of Maharashtra in recognition of the consistent services rendered to the cause of tribal development. SOBTI and Van Niketan have also been working on tribal development issues for over 15 years.

Collectively, the coalition of NGOs has the trained staff, relevant facilities and experience to implement this project.

See Annexure II for details about ADS.


TIME SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

No. Activities Time schedule
6 months 12 months
1 Capacity building of staff X --
2 Survey of 150 Katkari villages in Raigad and Thane District for an assessment of issues and problems. X X
3 Training programme for elected representatives. X X
4 Compilation and analysis of data. -- X
5 Preparation of report.
6 Photographic report on the Katkari situation. X X
7 Interaction with government officials and policy makers. -- --


BUDGET

Estimated expenses over a period of 12 months.

All amounts in Indian Rupees.


No. Particulars Year 1 Total
1 Project co-ordinator's salary @Rs.5000 per month for 12 months 60,000.00 60,000.00
2 Capacity building for staff 10,000.00 10,000.00
3 Survey work in 120 villages @Rs.1,500 per village 180,000.00 180,000.00
4 Travel 20,000.00 20,000.00
5 Consultancy 20,000.00 20,000.00
6 Data compilation, analysis 10,000.00 10,000.00
7 Photographic report 10,000.00 10,000.00
8 Report 5,000.00 5,000.00
9 Office expenses 10,000.00 10,000.00
Sub Total 325,000.00 325,000.00
10 Administrative expenses @ 10% 32,500.00 32,500.00
Total 357,500.00 357,500.00


Annexure I

ABOUT THE AREA AND PEOPLE



AREA AND LOCATION

ADS is located in the Karjat Tribal Block (KTB) of Raigad District, Maharashtra State. ADS works in over 200 villages of Raigad and Thane District.


PEOPLE

The main inhabitants of this area are tribal communities like Thakur, Mahadev Koli, Warli, Kokna, Katkaris, etc. Thakur, Warli, Kokna and Mahadev Koli own land and practise agriculture but Katkari are generally landless. The Katkari tribe has been notified as one of the three "primitive tribal groups" in the state of Maharashtra. They live in abject poverty and most of the families work as bonded labourers on brick kilns.


SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT STATUS OF TRIBALS

Most tribals are small & marginal farmers or landless labourers. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood but the single rainfed crop of cereals is unable to feed most families for more than 6 months. There is no employment in the region apart from felling trees for forest contractors or working as labourers in fields or on government jobs. This kind of employment benefits a minority of the population for a short period of time.

Cash is a scarce commodity in the face of widespread unemployment and quite often tribals do not have cash even for requirements like purchase of food grains or other essential commodities. Unforeseen requirements or bigger problems like marriages, house construction or repairs, illness or death in the family, etc. are even more difficult to manage. The only alternative they have is to borrow in cash or kind from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates. Tribals often find it difficult to repay the moneylender's loan.

In the past, forests used to provide various subsistence needs of a majority of people during the lean months but these days people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet on account of widespread deforestation. Deforestation has also resulted in decreased employment to those engaged in tree felling.

The health and nutrition status of tribals is poor. Local health traditions of tribals are in a weak shape and the Government health delivery system fails to meet the health needs of people.

Illiteracy is high and Government efforts to promote education amongst tribal children are counter productive on account of the difficult syllabus and teaching methods. Most tribal children who go to school miss out on the education of "survival skills" from their elders. They end up as misfits in the tribal context.

Facilities like housing, drinking water, electricity are primitive, to say the least.


FOOD SECURITY ISSUES

Tribals are fully dependent on agriculture and forests for their livelihood. Efforts to improve food production through agriculture are impeded by the limited area available for cultivation, hilly terrain, low land holdings, landlessness, water scarcity and poor soils.

People do not have money to buy food grains from the market. The government sponsored food security initiative - Public Distribution System (PDS) - has serious limitations and fails to address the food security concerns of tribal people.

Large-scale deforestation in the region has reduced the availability of uncultivated foods to tribals. Food security is thus a major issue in the tribal region. Severe malnutrition and starvation are realities in many villages even today (i.e. 2003).


LAND AND WATER

Most of the land in the region is hilly and undulating. Agriculture is confined to low lands in plains/ valleys and gentle slopes. The laterite soils are shallow, with poor fertility and low water holding capacity. Soil fertility is dependent on the organic matter provided by trees growing on slopes and hill sides. The quality of soils is deteriorating because of the dwindling forest cover and increasing use of chemical fertilisers for boosting agricultural productivity.

The region receives very heavy rainfall (upto 3,200 mm) during June-September. Most of the water runs off to the sea due to the fractured basalt rock geology and poor water holding capacity of soils. The 8-month dry period is hence characterised by severe water stress and drinking water scarcity. The contrasting situation of very heavy rainfall for 3-4 months followed by water stress imposes restrictions on cropping seasons and crops grown.

There is an acute drinking water scarcity during summer months and villagers often have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water. This generally translates into increased work load for women.

Water scarcity in turn results in unhygienic conditions in villages leading to the contamination of drinking water sources. These conditions provide fertile ground for spread of various water borne diseases.
CLIMATE

The climate of the region is characterised by three distinct seasons, viz. Summer (February to May-June), Monsoon (June to September-October) and Winter (November to January-February). The temperatures range from a maximum of 42oC during summers to a minimum of 12oC during winters.


AGRICULTURE

Over 30 % people are landless while the remaining people are small & marginal farmers with average land holdings of 1-2 acres (0.5 to 1 acre paddy fields and 1 to 1.5 acres upland).

Agriculture in the region is subsistence based and consists of a single rainfed crop of paddy on low lands and millets (finger millet and proso millet) on gentle slopes during the Kharif (monsoon) season. Some pulses are also grown as intercrop in the millets. Of the total land area, only 26% is cultivable land. The land under rice is a meager 9-10%. The soils of the region are not fertile and hence agriculture is not an economically viable proposition. On an average, agricultural produce supports partial food needs of families for not more than 5-6 months in a year.

The lands are left fallow during the dry period (October-November to May-June). Pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are not cultivated in the region. Tribals have to depend on the market (local markets or traders) for their requirement of pulses and edible oil. The quality of these commodities sold in the market is poor. Lack of adequate pulses, oilseeds and vegetables in diets has an adverse effect on the health of tribals.

Some vegetables are grown during the monsoon in backyard gardens but availability of vegetables during the dry period is low. Potato is, perhaps, the only 'vegetable' available to the poor throughout the year. However, potato consumption depends on prevailing market rates and it is generally out of the reach of poor for more than six months.

Rice, potato and dry fish (salted) form the staple diet of tribals during the dry period. Dry fish is obtained in barter (by exchanging millets) or purchased from traders. Lentils/ pulses, edible oils, vegetables and fruits are consumed in small quantities.

Thus agriculture, on its own, is unable to meet the subsistence needs of tribal communities.


FORESTS

The region is characterised by Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests. The common plant species found are Tectona grandis (Teak), Madhuca indica (Moha), Butea monosperma (Palash), Terminalia crenulata (Aien), Bridelia retusa (Asana), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Bondara), Acacia catechu (Khair), Carissa carandas (Karvanda), Calycopteris floribunda (Ukshi), Woodfordia fruiticosa (Dhayati), etc.

Studies show that forests meet between 40-50% of the food needs of tribals (particularly during the lean period), apart from many direct and indirect contributions to the subsistence economy of local people. Forests are a source of diverse uncultivated foods during the lean months. Tubers / rhizomes, vegetables, fruits & nuts, oil seeds, gum, fish, crabs, game, honey, etc. are some of the important uncultivated foods. Forests also provide a number of other day-to-day needs like medicines, fodder, fuelwood, timber, fibre, manure, wood for construction, tools & crafts, implements, dyes, etc. NTFPs like gunj, gum, moha, gulvel, etc. provide much needed income to tribals. Forests thus plays an important role in meeting the subsistence needs of local communities.

The valuable timber species found in the region (Sag, Aien, Asana, Hedu, Kalamb, Shivan, Shisav, Moha, etc.) are a curse on the forests. Illegal tree felling for timber has depleted the forest cover to a large extent.

Large-scale deforestation in the region has destabilised the subsistence economy of tribals. Availability of foods from the forests has decreased and food security has become a major issue. People are becoming increasingly dependent on agriculture for their food needs. Loss of forests and trees from slopes and hillside is resulting in severe soil erosion, decreasing soil fertility and water shortages.

Annexure II

ABOUT ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENT SCIENCE

Academy of Development Science (ADS) is a people oriented Science & Technology organisation concerned primarily with problems faced by village communities; particularly tribals, landless and small & marginal farmers. It is a registered Society and Charitable Trust. ADS campus is situated near Kashele village in the Karjat Tribal Block of Raigad District. ADS has been working on rural development issues in Karjat and Murbad Talukas of Raigad and Thane Districts since 1979.

ADS is committed to rural work based on an appreciation of many positive features of rural life and society. It sees a big challenge in revitalisation of the rural economy whilst strengthening its ecological base. It draws inspiration from the rich and diverse indigenous cultures and knowledge systems.

ADS is actively involved in a wide range of rural development activities aimed at addressing problems faced by tribal communities in Raigad and Thane Districts. Details about the situation of tribal communities in the region are given in Annexure I. Poverty is an overriding concern.

The thrust areas of ADS are: traditional medicine and primary health care; ecological agriculture and conservation of plant genetic resources; nutrition and food security; employment generation; education; natural resource management; community video; and women's empowerment.

Projects implemented by ADS have provided direct benefits to people from over 150 villages, apart from numerous indirect benefits. Some of the ADS programmes have influenced Government policies. For instance, the ADS Grain Bank programme was taken up by the Government of Maharashtra for replication in all tribal regions of the state. Subsequently, even the Central Government began replication of the Grain Bank programme across 14 states in India. Unfortunately, the Government Grain Bank programme has turned out to be a failure and now the Government is once again seeking inputs from ADS for bringing about improvements in their programme.

ADS has also built capacities of NGOs working in other regions and enabled them to replicate some of the innovative programmes. For instance, work on traditional medicine, medicinal plants, grain banks, seed conservation, bamboo craft, food processing, etc. is being replicated by NGOs in different regions.

ADS has thus played, and continues to play, a key role in developing innovative approaches for development of the socio-economically marginalised tribal communities in India.

Over the years ADS efforts have been supported by agencies like Misereor, Germany; Onaway Trust, UK; Rainforest Information Centre, Australia; BothENDS, Netherlands; Oxfam (India) Trust, Nagpur; Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai; UNDP, New Delhi; Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi; ETC Foundation, Netherlands; Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi; CAPART, New Delhi; Intermon-Oxfam, Spain; IDRC, Canada; Cebemo, Netherlands; NORAD, New Delhi; etc.
2. ADS ACTIVITIES IN BRIEF

2.1 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Local health traditions (also termed traditional medicine or folk medicine) were once common in the tribal region. Every village had atleast one sueen (traditional birth attendant) and more than one vaidu (folk practitioner). There was also a large body of knowledge of simple home remedies. These Local Health Traditions (LHTs) were community-supported, autonomous, oral in nature, self-reliant and based on the use of local resources, mainly plants. For instance, there are reports of over 300 medicinal plant species being used by tribals in Raigad District for their primary health care needs.

Promotion of Allopathic medicine and utter neglect of traditional medicine by the Government and mainstream medical institutions has literally wiped out local health traditions prevalent in tribal regions. Academy's efforts are aimed at revitalising local health traditions without disturbing their autonomy. Regular training programmes are conducted for vaidus, housewives and tribal youth interested in learning about herbal medicine. Village level aushadhikaran (medicine preparation) camps are organised to train women in simple processing techniques for the treatment of common ailments. ADS also organises training programmes on herbal medicine for NGOs, Community Groups, Schools, etc.

A dispensary and pharmacy have been set up on ADS campus for treatment of patients from nearby villages. The dispensary is managed by tribal vaidus. The pharmacy is engaged in processing of herbal medicines.

A medicinal plants garden and nursery has been established on 20 acres of land in view of the unavailability of medicinal plants to people for health care needs. ADS has hence undertaken work on conservation and sustainable utilisation of medicinal plants. More than 450 medicinal plant species are growing in the garden. An ethno-medicinal herbarium, raw drug and seed museum have been established. Saplings of over 100 different medicinal plant species are raised and distributed every year. A number of visitors, mainly school/college students, medical students, Ayurvedic doctors, botanists, etc. visit the herbal garden throughout the year to learn about medicinal plants.

ADS is engaged in building capacities of NGOs from other regions through training programmes on traditional medicine. A number of such NGOs are now involved in meaningful work on traditional medicine and primary health care. The concept is thus gradually spreading to other areas.

Over the past year ADS has been concentrating on the health problems of women and children using traditional medicine. A team of women health workers has been working in 20 villages for the treatment of gynaecological problems. The results are encouraging. This line of work needs to be developed further so that, women and children, who are a marginalised section within the tribal community, have access to better health care and nutrition. This is extremely important in the present context where a large number of malnutrition and starvation related deaths of small children are being reported from different tribal regions of Maharashtra.

ADS work on traditional medicine is acknowledged as a pioneering effort in the field of community health.
2.2. ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

ADS is engaged in promoting ecological agricultural practises amongst farmers in the tribal region of Karjat Taluka. Indiscriminate and widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by tribal farmers is a cause of concern. Efforts are being made to demonstrate the benefits of ecological agriculture. The importance of compost, vermicompost, green manures, etc. is being communicated to farmers. Demonstration and field trials are being organised.

Another area of concern to ADS is the erosion in genetic diversity of food plants. Government policies to promote Green Revolution technologies have contributed to erosion in genetic diversity. Many traditional crop varieties cultivated by farmers have disappeared while many others are on their way out. The loss of genetic diversity is perhaps the greatest crisis facing agriculture since man began domesticating plants for food.

Efforts are being made by ADS to promote conservation traditional crop varieties. Over 500 traditional varieties of rice, millets, pulses and tubers/rhizomes have been collected from the Konkan region of Maharashtra. These are maintained in a field genebank and seed bank. Seeds/ planting material are distributed to farmers every year.

ADS has now taken up work on conservation and promotion of traditional vegetable varieties. Seeds of over 20 different vegetable varieties have been collected. Seed multiplication and evaluation of individual varieties is in progress. Seeds will be distributed to farmers during April-May. Efforts are being made to encourage cultivation of vegetables in homestead gardens for addressing the nutritional concerns of tribal families. For instance, saplings of Tinda (Coccinia spp.), supposed to be rich in micronutrients, and Drumstick (Moringa oleifera), rich in Vitamin A and other trace elements, have been planted by over 1,000 women in their backyard gardens.

Training programmes on seed conservation are being organised for farmers and NGOs in efforts to encourage replication of the work in other regions. ADS has, as a matter of fact, facilitated a network of NGOs based in different parts of Maharashtra on the issue of seed conservation. Some of the network partners have been able to do meaningful work on conservation issues. For instance, a Parbhani-based NGO has documented the status of traditional crop varieties and agricultural practises in Parbhani District through biodiversity competitions in schools.

ADS is also a member of a South Asian network of NGOs (South Asia Network for Food, Ecology and Culture, SANFEC) based in Bangladesh. SANFEC is engaged in conservation of agro-biodiversity and food security issues.

2.3 MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT: AN URGENT NEED IN TRIBAL REGIONS

Poverty and backwardness are major issues confronting tribal communities in Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra. Basic needs like adequate food, proper shelter, education, primary health care, etc. are beyond the reach of a large number of people. There are no sources of employment in the region with a result that a majority of tribals are poor and fully dependent on land (agriculture and/or forests) for their survival. Situation of the landless is worse.

Agriculture in the region is subsistence based and consists of rice cultivation on low lands and millets on gentle slopes. On an average, agricultural produce supports partial food needs of families for not more than 5-6 months in a year. Forests provide game, fish, crabs, fruits & nuts, wild vegetables, tubers & rhizomes, honey, etc. to the tribals for their food needs but widespread deforestation in recent years has reduced the availability of these uncultivated foods. Deforestation has disturbed the subsistence economy of tribals and they have been forced to look out for alternative sources of livelihood.

Gainful employment within the region can prevent migration to cities besides improving the standard of living of local communities. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of employment opportunities in the region with a result that some people periodically migrate to other regions in search of work, some stay back but resort to 'destructive' employment (tree felling, etc.), while a majority remains unemployed and poor.

A need is thus felt to generate meaningful and environment-friendly sources of employment for tribal communities in the region.


2.3A FOOD PROCESSING CENTRE

Tribal regions are endowed with a wide variety of fruits and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Semi-processing and processing of the fruits and other NTFPs can provide gainful employment to tribals. With this in mind, ADS has established a food processing unit with a production capacity of 50 tonnes per annum. Fruits (karvanda, mango, amla and jamun) and cereals (Nachni, Ragi or finger millet) are processed into products like pickles, jams, squashes, chutney, murabba, candy, satva, malt, etc. The unit provides fulltime employment to 15 tribal women and youth. It also provides seasonal employment to tribal women through sale of fruits and work in the unit during peak seasons.

The Nachni satva and Nachni malt can play an important role in addressing malnutrition related issues amongst small children. ADS is creating awareness about the need for increased use of Nachni in the diets of pregnant women and small children.

The food processing unit has done innovative work in developing and standardising several food products. The enterprise demonstrates benefits of standing forests and encourages growing of fruit trees on barren, sloping lands.



2.3B. RURAL TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP

Academy has established a rural technology workshop to impart training to tribal youth and women in various technical skills like fabrication, black smithy, carpentry, lacquer ware, bamboo, cane and construction technology. The workshop has been registered as an independent co-operative society. The co-operative provides fulltime employment to about 20 tribal persons.

A bamboo resource centre has been established to develop various marketable products from bamboo and to train tribal people in bamboo craft in efforts to generate employment for forest dwelling communities. The centre has developed a wide range of bamboo products. More than 50 people have been given training in advanced skills. The centre is promoting plantation of bamboo on barren lands.

2.4. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Tribal regions of Raigad and Thane have witnessed severe degradation of natural resources over the past 20-30 years. Alienation of tribals from forests and illegal tree felling by vested interests are perhaps the major reasons. A degraded environment offers little potential for livelihood opportunities.

ADS is implementing a Watershed Development Programme in three locations. ADS is concerned about restoring the ecological balance of the area for improved livelihood opportunities to local people. Village Watershed Committees are responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme. The programme involves awareness generation, capacity building, community mobilisation followed by soil / water conservation work, tree plantation, social development, employment generation, etc.

ADS is also trying to address issues of forest conservation. Efforts are being made to create awareness about the importance of forests. Saplings of native tree species are raised in nurseries and distributed to farmers. The distress sale of private forests by local tribals to forest contractors is prevented through the creation of a forest conservation fund. Cash loans are given to farmers who are considering sale of their private forests for meeting emergency cash needs. Farmers are expected to repay the money over a period of 4-5 years and, in return, undertake to protect their forests. Awareness and networking programmes on Joint Forest Management (JFM) are also being organised by ADS.


2.5 HORTICULTURE

ADS promotes growing of fruit trees on barren/ sloping lands of small & marginal farmers. About 40 fruit trees and 500 other trees are planted on one-acre of land. The choice of species is such that they serve diverse day-to-day needs for fuelwood, fodder, small timber, etc. Fruits make an important contribution to the nutrition of poor families apart from providing income to farmers. Fruit tree orchards have so far been set up on over 200 acres of barren land.

A major constraint in promoting growing of fruit trees in tribal regions of Raigad and Thane Districts is unavailability of authentic planting material (saplings and grafts) of different fruit tree varieties. Academy is trying to address this problem by setting up a Community Genepark and Nursery of fruit trees and bamboos suited to the region. Different varieties of Mango, Jackfruit, Cashew, Jamun, Amla, Guava, Chikoo, Karvanda and Bamboo species have been planted in the Genepark and these are being used to raise grafts and saplings for distribution to farmers in tribal regions.

Academy also promotes decentralised village-level nurseries owned and managed by local farmers, mainly widows. The nurseries are a source of employment to the poor women. The nurseries serve as a source of saplings/ grafts for various plantation programmes undertaken in the region.
2.6 FOOD SECURITY

Lack of food security is a major problem for tribal communities in Raigad and Thane Districts. There are reports during the past three months of severe malnutrition and starvation related deaths of small children in Thane, Raigad and many other tribal regions of the state. Xerox copies of related reports are annexed.

Livelihoods of tribals are woven around hunting/gathering and subsistence farming. Forest produce plays an important role in the food security of tribals. However, large-scale deforestation has resulted in depletion of forest resources and this has had an adverse impact on the livelihoods of tribals. Food grain yields from subsistence-based farming are not enough to meet the food needs of the family for the whole year. The periodic cycle of food grain shortages represents the "lean period" or "lean season" for tribal families. This is a period of starvation and hardships for tribals.

Tribals have been borrowing food grains from sahukars or moneylenders to tide over the food scarcity. The moneylenders charge an exorbitant interest rate on the grain loan and force tribals to work on their fields as bonded labour. The fields of tribal people get neglected in the process, resulting in lower yields, further marginalisation and a continuing cycle of exploitation.

Deeply concerned about these issues, ADS began looking for viable alternatives to meet the food needs of poor families during the lean season.


2.6A GRAIN BANKS

Grain Banks were considered as one of the possibilities to address food security concerns in tribal regions. Grain Banks are village-level institutions, which ensure availability of food grains to members during the lean period. ADS initiated the Grain Bank Programme in 4 tribal hamlets during 1987. By 2002, ADS has established 132 grain banks in 120 villages of Raigad and Thane Districts. Grain Banks have promoted food security amongst small & marginal farmers and have reduced their dependence on sahukars.

ADS provides the initial grain loan and entrusts management of the grain bank to a Village Panch Committee consisting of village elders. Each grain bank achieves self-reliance by repaying the grain loan to ADS over a period of four years. The grain bank is fully self-reliant from the fifth year onwards. Details about the implementation of the Grain Bank programme and its impact in villages have been given in a small booklet published by ADS. Copy of the booklet is being sent by post.

The Government of Maharashtra was highly impressed by the success of the ADS Grain Bank programme and it has taken up replication of the Grain Bank programme in all tribal regions of Maharashtra through the Navsanjivan Yojana, which is aimed at reducing malnutrition and starvation in tribal regions. However, the Government Grain Bank Programme has turned out to be a failure due to faulty design and poor implementation. ADS has pointed out the weaknesses of the programme to Government officials in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, New Delhi, in efforts to bring about fundamental, pro-people changes in the programme.
ADS has also facilitated a network of NGOs in Maharashtra for setting up grain banks in different regions. ADS has organised several training and capacity building programmes for these NGOs. A large number of Grain Banks are now slowly taking shape in different parts of Maharashtra.

ADS efforts to set up Grain Banks, to facilitate replication through other NGOs and to influence Government's policy on food security are thus paying rich dividends. The ADS Grain Bank programme is today acknowledged as a successful and innovative food security intervention in India.



2.6B UNCULTIVATED FOODS

ADS has undertaken a study on uncultivated foods consumed by tribal communities in Raigad District in efforts to understand the role of uncultivated foods in the food security of poor families. The study has brought out the fact that tribals consume over 100 different uncultivated foods (vegetables, fruits, tubers/rhizomes, fish, crabs, etc.) throughout the year. The hunting/gathering of these uncultivated foods calls for specialised skills and understanding of nature and natural processes. The foods, their recipes and collection methods are closely linked to social, cultural and religious aspects of tribal groups. Uncultivated foods meet between 40-50 % food needs of poor tribal families, particularly during food deficit periods. Women are mainly involved in the gathering, processing, preservation and cooking aspects of uncultivated foods.

Uncultivated foods thus play an extremely important role not only in food security but also in nutritional security. Uncultivated foods provide food during food scarcity periods to poor families and make available a wide range of nutrients in the diets.

The valuable knowledge about diverse uncultivated foods is gradually disappearing, as the younger generation does not see any reason to learn these survival skills in their pursuit of "formal" education through 'schools'. Efforts need to be made to document and disseminate this knowledge to the younger generation.

2.7. SCHOOL EDUCATION

Academy has set up a formal school. In addition to conventional subjects, children are taught skills like bamboo work, nursery/ grafting techniques, etc. The aim is to give enough opportunities and freedom to the children to learn and to develop their own interest and also to generate in them an understanding and love for nature. The school strives to make education a meaningful and joyful experience for children.

It is expected that over the years, the school will extend its responsibility and create a centre for training teachers in activity based teaching, science education and rural technology.



2.8 WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES

ADS is engaged in addressing issues of women's empowerment in villages of Karjat and Murbad Takuka. Efforts are being made to establish Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of women to collectively address problems faced by tribal families and to seek active participation of women in village development activities. Awareness programmes are organised on Panchayati Raj for increased participation of women in Gram sabhas.

100 SHGs have been set up so far. Tribal women have enrolled as members and are involved in savings & credit programmes through which they can seek assistance to meet emergency cash needs. Women have sorted out issues of drinking water, electricity connections, roads, etc. and are taking active part in cleanliness drives in villages. Sanitation, clean drinking water and nutrition are slowly bringing about positive changes in the lives of tribal families. Women are seen taking a lead in village and social development.


2.9 COMMUNITY VIDEO

Lack of food security, severe malnutrition, starvation deaths, land alienation, low land holdings, lack of employment, depleting natural resources, drinking water contamination and shortages, lack of access to proper health care facilities, socio-political marginalisation, etc. are some of the major issues in the tribal context in Raigad and Thane Districts of Maharashtra. These problems receive scant attention from the mainstream media. In cases where some important issues are highlighted by the media, the coverage is often biased and fails to address the root cause. Consequently, the action programme to remedy the situation turns out to be nothing more than a 'stop-gap' arrangement. In this context, it becomes important to effectively highlight problems faced by tribal communities.

ADS is training a team of tribal women film makers to document and highlight problems faced by marginalised tribal communities. The community video team has so far made documentary films on agro-biodiversity; uncultivated foods of tribals; grain banks, malnutrition, traditional agriculture and fishing. Documentation of issues by tribal women themselves gives a realistic presentation of causes and probable interventions. The project will also attempt to document and revive traditional forms of communication, mainly songs and dances, prevalent in tribal cultures.

Involvement of local tribal women as film makers provides a 'local' perspective to the films, reflecting the beliefs and aspirations of local tribals.




2.10 WORK WITH THE KATKARI COMMUNITY

Katkari, Kathkari or Kathodi is one of the three 'Primitive Tribal Groups' in Maharashtra along with Madhia Gond and Kolam. Katkaris are socially and economically on the lowest rungs of the development ladder. Most of the families are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty, indebtedness and bonded labour. Most of the Katkaris are landless and depend on labour for their livelihood. All able-bodied men, women and children work as bonded labour on brick kilns in far away places. Life on brick kilns is harsh and exploitative. Government programmes fail to reach the Katkaris.

ADS is collaborating with NGOs and individuals in Raigad and Thane District to address issues facing the Katkari community.






3. ACHIEVEMENTS

* Government agencies have acknowledged the important role being played by ADS in the field of rural development. The Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra has bestowed the "Adivasi Seva Sanstha" (organisation devoted to the cause of tribal welfare) award on ADS for its sustained work for the tribal cause.
* The Maharashtra Foundation, USA has selected ADS for its prestigious award in recognition of the important work done by ADS on environmental issues for over 20 years.
* ADS plays an important role in capacity building school/ college students and NGOs. Many students and NGO representatives visit ADS throughout the year to gain practical knowledge about medicinal plants, herbal remedies, seed conservation, bamboo craft, food processing, grain banks, etc.
* Amla candy, a fruit product developed by ADS through its own inhouse R&D, is today a major fruit product sold by several manufacturers in different parts of India.
* Nachni satva and Nachni malt, the two weaning foods developed by ADS from Finger Millet, have shown great promise in addressing malnutrition amongst children in tribal areas.
* The ADS Grain Bank programme has demonstrated a decentralised and viable alternative to the Public Distribution System. The ADS Grain Bank programme is being replicated by NGOs and Government agencies in different parts of India.
* The traditional medicine programme of ADS has played an important role in demonstrating the contemporary relevance of indigenous medicine in meeting the health care needs of poor communities. Several NGOs have been trained by ADS and the programme is now being replicated in different parts of India.
* ADS has developed a wide range of products from bamboo and is engaged in training programmes for artisans. Bamboo has the potential to provide gainful employment to tribal artisans.
* The Community Video team has made short films on important issues like malnutrition, agriculture, uncultivated foods, grain banks, etc. The video films can be used to highlight the development problems in tribal areas and to influence Government policies.
* An ADS study on tribal foods has demonstrated the important role of uncultivated foods in the food security of tribal families, particularly the landless and the marginalised. This holds out an important lesson for policy makers and planners.
* ADS has been able to influence Government policies, to some extent (e.g. grain banks).
* The most important achievement of ADS, perhaps, is the elimination of moneylenders and the empowerment of tribal communities.

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