The Katkari tribal youth from Shahpur in Maharashtra have created a buzz by venturing into online sales of Giloy and other products amidst the lockdown. This initiative became possible with the help of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), operated by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). TRIFED, which functions under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, stands as an apex organisation at the national level. The product in focus, Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia), is an herb that has been widely used and recommended in Indian Ayurvedic medicines for ages.
Understanding the Katkari Tribe
The Katkari tribe is one among the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Predominantly, the Katkaris inhabit regions like Raigad and parts of Palghar, Ratnagiri and Thane districts of Maharashtra, and also some areas of Gujarat. History traces the Katkaris back to forest dwelling times. Interestingly, the name ‘Katkari’ is coined from their forest-based activity – the production and trading of Catechu from the Khair tree (Acacia Katechu). Catechu, an extract obtained by boiling acacia tree wood and evaporating the brew, has various uses as a food additive, dye and more.
During the British administration, Katkaris were categorised under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, as ‘habitually criminal’. The stigma attached to this classification lingers on till date.
An Overview of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is primarily a retail marketing strategised value addition plan for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), specifically designed for forest-dwelling tribes to maximise their local income. MFP encompasses all non-timber forest produce of plant origin, including bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins, and a variety of food items like nuts, wild fruits, honey, lac, tusser, etc. The plan is a significant source of subsistence and cash income for those residing in or near forests.
The Functioning Of the PMVDY Program
The PMVDY program encourages formation of MFP-based tribal groups or enterprises comprising roughly 300 members for tasks like collection, value addition, packaging and marketing of Minor Forest Produces. These tribal businesses are structured as Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs), each containing 15-20 members. Further, about 15 SHG groups are combined into an encompassing group known as Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) that include approximately 300 members.
TRIFED empowers these VDVKs by supplying them with model business plans, processing plans, and a tentative list of equipment necessary for executing the value addition work of MFPs.
Giloy – The Ayurvedic Herb
Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia) is a medicinal herb used extensively in Ayurveda. It has various therapeutic properties, making it a valuable natural remedy in Indian medicine. The Katkari tribe’s successful online retailing venture during the lockdown period has brought this revered herb to the forefront.
The proactive steps taken by the Katkari tribal youth from Shahpur through the guidance of TRIFED and the PMVDY program serve as a robust example of utilising indigenous knowledge and resources for economic growth and self-reliance.
(Source: PIB)
Last Modified: February 7, 2024