Keonjhar, June 8: ‘Tula’, mahua fruits, plays an important part in lives of tribals in many pockets of Keonjhar. This minor forest produce provides livelihood to tribals for last three months of a year. Oil prepared from Tula fruits is edible for tribals.
Most of the tribals engaged in Tula collection are found in Bansapal, Jhumpura, Ghatagaon, Keonkjhar, Patna, Telkoi, Champua and Joda. Forests in these areas are rich with mahua trees.
After collection, the tribals lay the Tulas on roads or grounds to dry. Later, they peel off the hard fruits by rubbing them on the stones or on the hard ground.
Tribal families including their kids peeling off Tula fruits on the road sides are a common sight in rural pockets of the district. They say that they grind up the peeled off seeds and make oil from them.
In some areas, tribals make special wooden machines to hard press the seeds and squeeze out oil.
Tribals use its oil to prepare dishes and cakes on a daily basis, apart from massaging it on their bodies.
“As Raja festival is round the corner, tribals have got into the swing of preparing oil from Tula seeds, which will be used in making cakes. People are busy for this work,” said Saraswati Nayak, a resident of Patuakuda under Jumpura block.
Locals said mahula trees are aplenty in several forests and even in the backyards of people. “The oil extracted from Tula may be useless for others, but its utility is high for tribals,” they noted.
“Tula is sold for Rs 8/10 kg. If we have surplus Tula after making oil, we sell them to traders,” said Shiropani Nayak.
That apart, mahua flowers are a main source of earning for tribals who sell a huge amount of mahua flowers to traders.
But mahua trees are fast declining now due to mindless mining and deforestation. This has caused concern for both tribals and environmentalists. “There is a need for protection of these trees that should be planted in large numbers in forested pockets,” said Kartik Sahu, social activist.
Post News Network
