Tribal communities in habitations on Sathyamangalam Hills say they are struggling to overcome the negative economic impact of the stiff restrictions on grazing of cattle in reserve forest area, more so after its declaration as a tiger reserve in 2013.
With agricultural activities fraught with uncertainties due to erratic climatic conditions, their living conditions have weakened, leading to difficulties in meeting the cost of fodder for the cattle.
According to Animal Husbandry Department sources, currently, there are over 45,000 cows and buffaloes in the hilly parts in Hassanur, Kadambur and Bargur areas.
Most of the villagers prefer to rear native breeds due to the low maintenance costs. They are unable to meet the cost of fodder, and hence rely in the opportunity they get to let the cattle graze on cattle land.
But, of late, grazing of cattle in forests has turned tough due to the penalisation by the Forest Department, a representative of a tribal welfare organisation says.
Restrictions were said to have been imposed first by the Special Task Force at the time of its hunt for forest brigand Veerappan more than a decade ago. After his death, the Forest Department chose to continue with the restriction.
The department apparently wants to play safe to prevent attacks on cattle by predators. There have been instances in recent years of poisoning of predators by farmers who had lost their cattle.
The Forest Department, on its part, has been trying to involve the tribal communities in preservation of forest wealth. But, the restrictions on grazing have not gone down well with the breeders.
On the Karnataka side, the Forest Department adopts a lenient approach towards cattle grazing in forest land, they say, explaining that cattle, by nature, do not destroy the shoots, and are much alike deer and Indian gaurs in feeding habits.
For the breeders, it is a matter of economic survival. More than the milk, the products made of it fetched them high returns. Unlike in the case of crossbred cattle, the native breeds yield low milk, but the rich fat content is conducive for condensation and higher revenue generation.
There is a niche market for the condensed milk ( milk khoa ) made out of milk sourced from cattle on the hills, Animal Husbandry Department officials say. Milk of native breed cows has rich fat content ranging from 8 to 9 per cent, and the fat content in the milk of buffalo is as high as 12 per cent, official sources say.
Training
Last September, educated youth in tribal villages surrounding Hassanur were exposed to entrepreneurial opportunities in making of value-added milk products, through a monthlong training programme coordinated by Sudar, a Sathyamangalam-based service organisation.
The milk khoa that was prepared was found to have a unique natural sweetness. But, the scope for reviving market for the product appears bleak in future.
According to a Forest Department official, the farmers are not harassed for owning cows, but are advised not to go for new ones.
Farmers apprehend that the continuing restriction on grazing will lead to a drastic fall in the numbers of cattle in the years to come.
Restrictions were said to have been imposed first by Special Task Force at the time of its hunt for Veerappan
Grazing turned tough due to penalisation by Forest Department
