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Context :

• The Mahua gathering season lasts from March to April. So it is a crucial time for the Gond They make up about 90% of the village population.
• During this time, they prioritise mahua gathering over other daily activities including farming & eating.
• The community dedicates early mornings (5 to 6 am) & they do long hours in the fields for this work.

About Mahua Tree (Madhuca longifolia):

• Mahua Flowers: The flowers of the Mahua tree are fermented to produce an alcoholic drink also called Mahua.
• Traditional Drink: also, Mahua liquor is traditionally made by tribal men & women in various parts of India.

Distribution:

• Found across regions of India such as:
  • West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar.
  • Northern & Central India, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, & Kerala.

Cultural Significance:

• Holy Symbol: However, Mahua is considered sacred by the tribes of India & it is referred to as the "Tree of Life".
• Versatile Tree: Every part of the Mahua tree is used for something from the flowers for the drink to the fruit shell. It is used in funeral rites.

Mahua Nutra Beverage:

• Development by TRIFED: The Mahua Nutra Beverage is a value added product.
• It was developed by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer (FIIT).
• This initiative aims to help the tribal communities to maximise the benefits from Minor Forest Products (MFPs) & technology development.
  • Minor Forest Products (MFPs) are non timber forest products of plant origin. It is providing livelihoods & essential resources for communities living in or near forests.
  • Examples : bamboo, honey, medicinal herbs, & fruits.

About Gond Tribe:

• The Gond tribe or Gondi people are a large Dravidian ethno linguistic group in India.
• They are designated as a Scheduled Tribe with a population in states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
• They are known for their unique culture, traditions, & the unwritten Gondi language. It belongs to the Dravidian family.
• Earlier, The Gond kingdoms were conquered by Mughals for some duration.
• But Gond rajas were restored & they were put under hegemony of the Mughals.
• The colonial forest management practices of the British marginalised the Gonds. It led to the famous Bastar Rebellion in 1910. It was an armed struggle against the British

Source: DTE