Gangtok, Jan. 11: Sikkim forest minister today said the practice of selling produce from the wild in the markets here have dropped because of regulatory and awareness drives of the department.

“The sale of forest produce like edible wild roots, medicinal plants and fruits like avocados has come down. It had been a traditional practice to collect and sell these items. Earlier, all edible items from the forests used to be found in the markets here but now we have started regulating it,” said forest minister Bhim Dhungel at a media conference here.

Forest officials, however, said the claim was based more on visible sales than any data.

“Forest authorities here do not have much data. No scientific study has been done on the decrease of forest produce pilferage but it is apparent for the past one year that the volume of forest produce being sold in markets have come down. It is our observation though we need to do a scientific study,” said a forest official.

According to the minister, vigil has been increased in most parts to check the exploitation of forest produce and ex-situ cultivation of the products is being encouraged.

In the ex-situ system, plants are grown outside their natural habitats.

“We are encouraging ex-situ cultivation. The department has made provisions for cultivation of plants including medicinal plants on private farms,” said the minister.

“At the same time, we are also spreading awareness that forest produce should not be sold because they are food for wild animals,” Dhungel added.

Wildlife authorities in Sikkim have alleged that people of the fringe villages collect, store and sell wild roots and fruits meant for animals. Deprived of food, these animals then raid human habitats.

“People are collecting almost every edible item that is a source of food for wild animals. Loss of bamboo shoots and avocados have been the major reasons for forays of Himalayan black bears into human habitats in the past couple of years,” said a wildlife expert. Bamboo shoots and avocados are also very popular among humans, hence they have a good market.

But state forest authorities said a recent survey has found out that the avocados now on sale here are mostly brought from outside the state.

“A major portion of the avocados sold in Gangtok markets are brought from Kalimpong and hilly parts of Darjeeling. Only a small fraction of the fruits are from Sikkim,” said a wildlife officer.

However, he said it was very difficult for the forest officials to find out whether the items sold in the local markets are collected from the forests or are grown on private farms.

According to traders at Lall Bazaar, the main market here, seasonal wild roots and fruits are sold by people from villages around Gangtok and the vendors claim they have grown them in their fields.