Question

Q2. . Consider the following statements about Mahua Tree:

1. Mahua is held sacred by the Raj Gond and Kolam aboriginals.

2. The flowers, fruits, seeds and the bark of the tree are all known to have medicinal value.

Which of the statements are correct?

• A. a) 1 only
• B. b) 2 only
• C. c) Both 1 and 2
• D. d) None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C

c) Both 1 and 2

Mahua

• Mahua is held sacred by the Raj Gond and Kolam aboriginals not just for its religious association with their gods and goddesses, but also for its multifarious uses, provision of food security and raising supplemental income during the harsh summer months.
• Mahua, also called Ippa (in Telugu) or Irp (in Gondi) is a large-sized tree, found mostly in the dry deciduous and miscellaneous forests spread across the four districts
• An independent estimate has the number of these trees at five lakh, spread all over the four districts which cumulatively produce enormous quantities of edible flowers and seeds, which yield edible oil

Importance

• The dried up flowers also are fermented to make wine called ippa sara in Telugu.
• The flowers, fruits, seeds and the bark of the tree are all known to have medicinal value.
• They are consumed in different ways, like in the form of rotis or vadas.
• its liquor being sacred was offered to our gods and goddesses during festivals

Issue

• According to sources in the Telangana Girijan Cooperative Corporation, which purchases dried mahua flowers from the Adivasis, the price of the MFP (Minor Forest Produce) has been slashed by a steep 50 percent this year.
• From the Rs 2000 per quintal that was offered last year, the GCC is offering only Rs 1000 per quintal this season.