Forests for poverty alleviation: the Orissa experience

摘要

This paper asserts that "the poverty debate " in India has been brought into the mainstream since early 1970s and that our understanding of poverty issues has gradually evolved. Policy-makers, scholars, concerned citizens and external donors all have contributed to this debate and understanding. Poverty is currently perceived as "multi-dimensional deprivation". The incidence and special characteristics of poverty in Orissa, one of the poorest states in India, are also analyzed. The paper also explores the role of forests, an important land-based natural resource, in providing livelihood support to millions of the rural poor in Orissa. It is premised that forests can substantially impact poverty reduction. Two past projects that aimed at natural resources development, i.e., (ⅰ) evolution ofkendu leaves trade and (ⅱ) Orissa Tribal Development Project (OTDP) have also been critically examined with a view to learning from these experiences. The paper concludes that high broad-based economic growth is necessary for faster poverty reduction and that desirable poverty reduction strategies should focus on: (ⅰ) enabling policy framework that improves the investment climate and expand income generating opportunities, (ⅱ) mobilizing and empowering the poor and developing their employable skills, (ⅲ) building productive infrastructure, and (ⅳ) strengthening social sector. R&D institutions can significantly contribute to developing appropriate policies and strategies for poverty reduction.