Amravati, 19 Feb (HS): The bumper inflorescence on Mahua trees have

added joy to the tribals in Amravati’s Melghat. Majority of the tribals collect

Mahua flowers and earn their livelihood from their sale during the summer

season. During the same period they face threat of attacks by bears, as Mahua

flowers are favourite food of bears.

The tribals start collecting Mahua flowers early in the morning. The tribals

have been granted right to forest produce. They also make liquor out of Mahua

flower for their personal consumption.

A former Project Officer of Tribal Development Department Vaibhav

Waghmare had started ‘Moha Bank’ in Dharni to help the tribals good price for

the Mahua flowers. He had formed village-level committees for effective

operation of the Moha Bank. However, with his transfer from Dharni, the project

remained neglected.

Mahua season is a major financial support for tribals in Melghat and

Gadchiroli.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar