Abstract

Cane collection provides seasonal livelihood opportunities for local communities living near the forests. In Kerala, the Forest Department has leased out the right of collection of cane to Kerala State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Federation, aiming to avoid middlemen and to provide more employment to the tribal people. But in the absence of permanent set up for collection to the Federation, a number of agencies are engaged for collection. Consequently significant part of collection charge offered by the Federation is taken away by the middlemen/agencies, thereby reducing the share of actual collectors. Due to variety of reasons present arrangement could not engage maximum number of tribals for collection. Another disadvantage of this is that there exists unsustainable collection practices, as the Forest Department is not able to supervise the collection activities. The study argues that harvesting policies adopted by the Forest Department should be