Survey and documentation of wood utilization patterns and its value addition in carpenter and craft shop in Sirsi Taluk, Uttara Kannada District

Introduction

Wood has long been an indispensable resource in human history, serving as a cornerstone for survival, technological advancement, and economic growth. From its early uses in shelter and tools to its contemporary role in industrial applications, wood remains a vital raw material that drives multiple sectors of the global economy. Its versatility has made it central to industries ranging from construction and furniture to paper production and energy. As economies grow and industrial needs evolve, wood continues to be a critical resource, especially in developing nations like India, where it plays a pivotal role in local craftsmanship and trade. Global economic trends have spurred increased demand for wood as a construction material, with the market for wood-based products and furniture dominating worldwide, including in India. In 2018, global industrial roundwood timber consumption reached 2.2 billion m³ (FAO). According to the FAO (2008), the contribution of wood products to global GDP increased from approximately US$47 trillion in 2005 and is projected to approach US$100 trillion by 2030. In India, wood utilization is deeply embedded in traditional crafts, particularly in carpentry and craft shops, which serve as hubs of both creativity and economic activity. Carpentry, a skill that has flourished over centuries, not only provides essential infrastructure materials like doors, windows, and furniture but also fosters a thriving local industry that sustains livelihoods and contributes to urban and rural economies. The industry uses both indigenous and imported woods, with popular species including teak, sandalwood, ebony, walnut, sal, red cedar, and rosewood (Sseremba, 2005) [6] . Craft shops, on the other hand, represent a fusion of traditional and modern woodwork, offering intricate handmade wooden items that add cultural value while stimulating the economy. The increasing demand for woodbased products, both domestically and internationally, has positioned wood as a key player in India's economic landscape, despite the challenges posed by sustainability and resource management. The information regarding the utilization of different timber species and the products produced in wood workshop/carpenter shop and crafts shop is lacking in India. Hence the present study was taken to explore wood utilization in carpenter and crafts shop

Material and Methods

Study area

Sirsi taluk is located in Uttara Kannada district of Western Ghats region. Sirsi is located at 14.6 o N, 74.8 o E. It has an average elevation of 611 meters (2200 feet), and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi taluk is embedded different types of forest types with rich biodiversity. Most of the people living in village depend on forests for food, fuel, wood, etc. But information regarding value addition in carpenter and crafts shop is very limited.

Data collection

This study was undertaken in 20 carpenter and craft shop in Sirsi taluk during July 2022 to October 2022. Information on timber/wood species used, their utilization pattern and other relevent information were collected from carpenter and crafts shop in sirsi by participatory discussion method through the questioner surveys (Semi structured survey).

Results and Discussion Different types of timber species used by Carpenter and crafts shop

The indigenous knowledge on the use of wood is unique to a given culture of a human society around the world. Wood is generally used for building work, furniture, antique wooden object, idols, mantapa, agriculture implements etc. During survey, 19 timber/wood species belonging to 8 families are documented which are used for various purposes by the carpenter and crafts shop. The major wood species utilized are Tectona grandis, Acacia hybrid, Pterocarpus marsupium, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia paniculata, Dalbergia latifolia and the least used are Vitex altissima and Xylia xylocarpa. The major wood species falling under families of Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Moraceae, Verbenaceae (Table 1). Distribution of Tectona grandis, Pterocarpus marsupium, Acacia hybrid and Terminalia tomentosa is very high in this region due to the suitability of locality factors to these species. These results are in line with the studies conducted by Hanumantha et.al. (2018) [3] ; they documented on wood utilization pattern in Siddapur taluk. They found that 22 tree species belonging to 14 families used by the local people for different purpose was documented. The major wood species utilized were Artocarpus heterophyllus, Acacia spp, Tectona grandis and least used are Albizia odoratissima and Gmelina arborea. The major timber species utilized by local people are falling under families of Moracese, Verbenaceae, Mimosaceae. [3] ; they documented on wood utilization pattern in Siddapur taluk. Among different species Pterocarpus marsupium (Six), Tectona grandis (Four) and Artocarpus heterophyllus, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Dalbergia latifolia, Calophyllum inophyllum (Three) were used for making more number of products as compare to other species. 2). With respect to health status Forty six per cent of respondents experienced back pain, 20 per cent of breathing problem, 18 per cent of eye problem, 9 per cent nasal problem and 7 per cent allergy problem (Fig. 3). These results are in line with the studies conducted by Verma and Gupta (2017). They reported that 91 per cent of respondents have participated in informal training, whereas only 9 per cent of the respondents have undergone formal training process of government. There were very less number of artisans who have been trained from formal training institutions. They also reported that, respondents also experienced several health problems back pain (43%), eye and back pain (11%), breathing and eye (14%) and no health problem (13%).

Average Roundwood prices of different timber species

Waste generated and its value addition in carpenter and crafts shop

The major waste generated from carpenter and crafts shop are saw dust (100%) and waste-wood (95%), wood chips (95%), wood flakes (75%) respectively; in which sawdusts are pulverized and made into agarbatti, dhoop and it is also used as a stuffing material in manufactuing of garlands were as waste wood, wood chips, wood flakes are packed in 50kg bag and disposed by selling them as firewood for Rs. 35 (Table 7 and Fig. 4). These results are in line with the studies of Pandey (2022); they reported waste production from different woodbased industries and its effective utilization in Nepal. Wood chips, bark, saw dust, shavings, slabs and edgings were the major waste produced and it is effectively used for energy, wood pellets, briquettes, stand board, particle board, medium density board, mulch, animal bedding, etc.

Choice of market for sales of furniture and crafts products Most of the products produced from carpenter and craft shops were sold their product on the local market (56%), neighbourhood market (32%) and on domestic market (10%)

and remaining to foreigners (2%) (Fig 5). These results are in line with the studies conducted by Antwi-Boasiako and Boadu (2016) [1] ; they reported that 93 per cent of the products were sold at domestic market and remaining 7 per cent is exported. Hence, the recommendation can be made to the forest department for raising these species in huge quantity and to the farmers to raise these species in their farmlands to meet the demand and also to increase their income; so that we can reduce the pressure on natural forests and also helps in conservation of our vast biodiversity. Least utilized species such as Vitex altissima, Xylia xylocarpa, Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus spp. and Artocarpus hirsutus must be promoted by describing their utilitarian value among the people.

References

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