IMPACT OF DIFFERENT WELFARE SCHEMES ONSOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FOREST DWELLERS IN MADHYA PRADESH

The Parliament, on 29 December 2006, passed a historic legislation called The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly called FRA, 2006, to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). One of the objectives of the Act is to strengthen the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the forest dwellers. While recognizing and vesting various rights in forest dwelling STs & OTFDs several welfare schemes to improve the productivity of forest land recognized and thereby to uplift the socio-economic status of forest dwellers have been carried out. Besides, the development rights provided under Section 3(2) for creation of infrastructure etc. in the villages also play an important role in this direction. A study was conducted to assess the FRA’s impact on socio-economic status of the forest dwellers in Madhya Pradesh considering that the State has got extensive forest areas, large forest dwelling tribal communities, presence of diverse agro-ecological zones, and being pioneer in the implementation of FRA. Survey was carried out in six districts viz. Chhindwara, Mandla, Badwani, Khargone, Shahdol and Sidhhi and the result reveals that different welfare schemes implemented for the benefits of forest dwellers and recognized forest land have created overall positive impacts on their socio-economic status, post implementation of FRA 2006.

The Parliament, on 29 December 2006, passed a historic legislation called "The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006", popularly called FRA, 2006, to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). One of the objectives of the Act is to strengthen the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the forest dwellers. While recognizing and vesting various rights in forest dwelling STs & OTFDs several welfare schemes to improve the productivity of forest land recognized and thereby to uplift the socio-economic status of forest dwellers have been carried out. Besides, the development rights provided under Section 3(2) for creation of infrastructure etc. in the villages also play an important role in this direction. A study was conducted to assess the FRA"s impact on socio-economic status of the forest dwellers in Madhya Pradesh considering that the State has got extensive forest areas, large forest dwelling tribal communities, presence of diverse agro-ecological zones, and being pioneer in the implementation of FRA. Survey was carried out in six districts viz. Chhindwara, Mandla, Badwani, Khargone, Shahdol and Sidhhi and the result reveals that different welfare schemes implemented for the benefits of forest dwellers and recognized forest land have created overall positive impacts on their socio-economic status, post implementation of FRA 2006. OTFDs their customary tenurial and access rights over land and resources within the forests over which they have been traditionally dependent. The twomajor objectives highlighted in the preamble, the soul of the Act are: "An Act to recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded; to provide for a framework for recording the forest rights so vested and the nature of evidence required for such recognition and vesting in respect of forest land.

Methodology:-
The study was conducted in six representative districts (out of 51 total districts) following a stratified random sampling procedure. The districts selected were Chhindwara, Mandla, Sidhi, Shahdol, Badwani and Khargon chosen from three different geographical regions viz; Mahakoshal; Baghelkhand-Vindhyan region; and Malwa-Nemar region because, the central, eastern and southern parts of the state are rich in forest resources whereas, the northern and western parts are deficient. Besides, the districtswere selected based on few criteria viz. where both individual and community rights were settled under FRA; which had more than 15% forest cover; having more than 20% tribal population (Source: Census of India, 2011, India State of Forest Report 2015 & 2017). The same criteria were followed while selecting Blocks. The data through semi-structured questionnaire were collected during 2018-2019. In addition, secondary data were also gathered from Forest and Tribal Welfare departments of Madhya Pradesh for supplementing the results.
The data of total number of forest right claims received, accepted and rejected in Khargon, Chhindwara, Mandla, Sidhi, Shahdol, Badwani districts and whole of Madhya Pradesh was the basis of determining the sample sizes for carrying out study. The proportion of accepted claims (p) to rejected ones (q = 1-p) is calculated and minimum number of respondents(n) at 10 % error and 5% error in the field is presented in the table below by formula: The method has been to evaluate the Tests of Independence by using a cross tabulation process for which following has been developed:

Null hypothesis (H0):
There is no association between the two variables at 5 % level of significance in particular districts in the state of Madhya Pradesh which means the row and the column variables of the contingency table are independent.

Alternative hypothesis (H1):
There is a significant association between the two variables at 5 % level of significance in particular district and the state of Madhya Pradesh which means the row and column variables are dependent. For each cell of the table, we have to calculate the expected value under null hypothesis.
So at 5% level of significance χ2 calis made by formula mentioned above and χ2 tabulated is taken from χ2 table for a particular degree of freedom and decision rule is made as follows: If χ2 cal< χ2 tabulated then Null hypothesis accepted it means the row and the column variables of the contingency table are independent and there is no association.
If χ2 cal> χ2 tabulated then Null hypothesis Rejected it means the row and the column variables of the contingency table are dependent and there is significant association.
The test is also appropriate as the sampling method has been the random stratified, variables under study are each categorical, the sample data is displayed on a contingency table, and the expected frequency of each cell is at-least 5. Accordingly, the two variables to answer the research question using a Chi-Square analysis have been: whether any improvement in the income statuswas reported after implementation of FRA, and whether various developmental works have been carried out to increase the productivity ofthe piece of forest land on which the individual claims were recognized. The results were analysed by comparing the observed pattern of responses with the expected ones, considering the variables truly independent of each other.The association studied were betweenresponses about various schemes to increase the productivity of the forest land recognized and increase in income after implementation of FRA, 2006.

Results and Analysis:-
The results of all sampled six districts viz Badwani, Chhindwara, Khargon, Mandla, Shahdol, Sidhiand whole of the Madhya Pradeshhave been shown in the Tables below wherein,the association of implementation of various schemes in these districts to "Increase the productivity of the forest land recognized (schemes for agriculture productivity, irrigation and others) with the responses of "Increase in income after implementation of FRA, 2006" (Yes/No) have been analyzed, with the observed values shown without brackets and expected responses in small brackets:

, Degree of freedom = (3-1)*(2-1) = 2 χ2 tabulated = 5.991
Result:Null hypothesis is rejected, it means there is significant association between Responses about Various schemes to Increase the productivity of the forest land recognized for cultivation and Increase in income after implementation of FRA in Chhindwara district.
The significant value in Chhindwara district for increase in income after implementation of FRA 2006 is due to significant response value of 55 under agriculture productivity. It is evident in the secondary data taken from State Tribal Welfare Department that in Chhindwara district out of total 7878 title land holders 2628 enjoy the benefits of BhoomiShilp scheme, 965 have been benefitted under KapilDhara, and 652 individuals have been supported by other schemes. In the district, implementation of different welfare schemes for FRA beneficiaries hasbrought out positive results due to improvements in the land productivity because of application of fertilizers, improved seeds, construction of farm embankments/boundary mounds etc.on the land of individual title holders. Result; -Null hypothesis is rejected, it means there is significant association between Responses about Various schemes to increase the productivity of the forest land recognized for cultivation and Increase in income after implementation of FRA in Khargone district.
The significant value in Khargone district is due to increase in income after implementation of FRA 2006. This has been due to significant response value of 25 in irrigation facilities. It is evident in the secondary data gathered from State Tribal Welfare Department that, in Khargon district 18037 title land holders have been benefitted withconstruction of 5120 wells under KapilDhara schemes and diesel and electric pumps provided to 1331beneficiaries which is about 26% of total title holders. In this district FRA application was effective due to the irrigation facilities provided in individual"s lands.

44, Degree of freedom = (3-1)*(2-1) = 2 χ2 tabulated = 5.991
Result; -Null hypothesis is rejected it means there is significant association between Responses about Various schemes to Increase in productivity of the forest land recognized for cultivation and Increase in income after implementation of FRA in Mandla district. The significant value in Mandla district is due to increase in income after implementation of FRA 2006. This has been due to significant response value of 29 in agriculture productivity. It is evident in the secondary data collected from State Tribal Welfare Department that in Mandla district 9841 title landholders enjoy 7142BhoomiShilp under Government schemes, and other schemes also supported 1911 individuals. In this district the agriculture land productivity has gone up due to application of various fertilizers and seeds by individuals beneficiarires.

62, Degree of freedom = (3-1)*(2-1) = 2 χ2 tabulated = 5.991
Result; -Null hypothesis is accepted, it means there is no association between Responses about Various schemes to Increase inproductivity of the forest land recognized for cultivation and Increase in income after implementation of FRA in Shahdol district.
There is no significant value in Shahdol district in increase in income after implementation of FRA, 2006. This has been due to poor response value in agriculture productivity, irrigation and others. It is evident in the secondary data from State Tribal Welfare Department that, in Shahdol district 11954 title land holders enjoy 1168 wells, 1235 BhoomiShilp, 511 diesel/electric pumps and 84 other schemes" benefits. In this district the socio-economic statushas not improved due to the poor agriculture land productivity, poor availability of various fertilizers and seeds,insufficient irrigation facilities and supply of diesel pumps etc. to individual title holders.

, Degree of freedom = (3-1)*(2-1) = 2 χ2 tabulated = 5.991
Result; -Null hypothesis is accepted it means there is no association between Responses about Various schemes to Increase in productivity of the forest land recognized for cultivation and Increase in income after implementation of FRA in Sidhi district.
There is no significant value in Sidhi district regarding increase in income after implementation of FRA 2006. This has been due to poor response value in agriculture productivity, irrigation and others. It is evident in the secondary data, collected from State Tribal Welfare Department, that in Sidhi district 1331 title land holders enjoy 250 wells, 650 BhoomiShilp, 26 diesel/electric pumps and 100 benefits under other schemes. In this district the socio-economic status has not been so effective due to the poor agriculture land productivity, poor availability of various fertilizers and seeds, insufficient irrigation facilities, poor supply of diesel/electric pumps etc to individual title holders. Table- Government"s intervention for uplifting the socio-economic status of FRA beneficiaries has been quite effective due to the improvements in agriculture land productivity, providing irrigation facilities andsupply of various fertilizers and seeds to individual title holders.

Discussions:-
Implementation of different welfare schemes by the State Government for FRA beneficiaries has helped in enhancement of their socio-economic status in Madhya Pradesh. As a database of beneficiaries, who are mostly underprivileged and marginalized, was available state-wide due to the implementation of FRA, 2006, it has become useful for the state welfare departments to identify the eligible beneficiaries to extend benefits of different government schemes which aim at improving their socio-economic conditions. Barring a few districts viz. Sidhi and Shahdol, positive response has been received from forest dwellers from all other places. As different welfare schemes of both State and Center have included FRA title holders as one of the eligible groups to get scheme benefits, forest dwellers at many places have been benefitted under schemes viz. KapilDhara, BhoomiShilp, providing Diesel/Electric Pumps, improved seeds, crop loans etc. specifically for better agricultural output. In addition, other scheme benefits viz, PM AawasYojna(PMAY), UjjawalaYojna, construction of toilets under Swachha Bharat Mission etc. has also been provided to FRA beneficiaries across the State. A visible improvement in the socio-economic status of titleholders could be noticed. The beneficiaries in Forest Villages particularly have been benefitted a lot after the Co-operative Banks started recognizing their titles of forest landfor seed/crop loans. They have also been given financial assistance for procuring either Diesel/Electric Pumps, assistance under PM AawasYojna etc. In most of the cases beneficiaries were found receiving hybrid seeds from Agriculture Department although, only a few beneficiaries reported an increase in crop output during interview but, a proper orientation and awareness campaign among forest dwellers could promote proper and successful use of hybrid seeds.
The result for Badwani, Chhindwara, Khargone, Mandla and state of Madhya Pradesh has shown significant association between various responses about various schemes to increase the productivity of the forest land recognized and increase in income after implementation of FRA 2006. The farm embankment, boundary mounds under land development works at many places have helped in prevention of soil erosion and in-situ conservation of required nutrients in the soil. In addition, the construction of KapilDhara wells on the un-irrigated land of poor forest dwellers, other irrigation facilities viz. Diesel/Electric pumps, construction of Tanks etc have helped growing different kinds of food grains and vegetables, particularly in Badwani and Khargone districts. In Chhindwara and Mandla, the significant improvement in socio-economic status is mainly due to land improvement works under BhoomiShilp projects of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The enhanced agriculture productivitydue to these schemes have resulted improvement in income of individual dweller in whole of Madhya Pradesh. Focused government intervention is highly essential in Sidhi and Shahdol as there has been very poor implementation of different schemes in these districts.
The secondary data (Source: Tribal Welfare Department, Madhya Pradesh) reveals that benefits under different welfare schemes have been provided to FRA beneficiaries and the same can be assessed from the Table below:

Conclusion:-
Although, many developmental works have been carried out for improving the productivity of the land under cultivation by FRA beneficiaries, and also many infrastructural development works have been executed by the State Government yet,a lot needs to be done for overall improvementin socio-economic status of forest dwellers. There appears to be gaps between planning and its implementation. A lot of coordinated and holistic approach is needed to improve the productivity of the forestland recognized for cultivation. Since the database of beneficiaries and the geo-coordinates of the forestland under occupationare available statewide, comprehensive micro-plans can bring out overall improvements in thesocio-economic status of FRA beneficiaries. Extension trainings on multiple cropping, soil & moisture conservation works, agro-forestry models of growing crops, Vermi-composting etc. could be emphasized for bringing improvements not only in the status of individual forest dwellers but also enriching the fertility status of the soil under occupation. All FRA beneficiaries may be provided with Gas Chullah and clean fuel under UjjwalaYojna, which could improve health of rural women and children and also reduce burden on forests and environment. As most of the forest dwellers still do not have pucca houses in their names, financial assistance under PMAY could be provided and they can also be integrated with other social welfare schemes. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) known for promoting economic growth and enhancing equitable development should cover more and more forest dwellers providing employment opportunities through self employment schemes and encouraging youth to go for small forest based enterprises at their home which may change the whole picture of rural economy.