Traditional methods of pest control practiced by the tribal communities of satpuda and ajanta hills in Maharashtra

The Kenya Tribal groups living in the Satpuda and Ajanta hill areas of northern Maharashtra, such as the Bhil, Pawara, Koli Malhar, Tokre Koli, Pardhi, Gavit and their smaller groups, have been farming for many years using traditional knowledge that is good for the environment, inexpensive, and part of their culture. This paper looks at how these communities manage pests in five districts: Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Jalna. The study uses data from census reports from 1961 to 2011, surveys in 115 villages across twelve administrative regions, and observations of local customs. It records various traditional methods like using plant-based solutions (especially neem leaf extracts), smoke, and soil treatments, making natural fertilizers from cows, using a special plant mix called Dashparni Ark, trapping pests physically, and storing grains in traditional ways like the Kangi system. The analysis shows that the Bhil are the largest group among these tribes, and Nandurbar is the district with the highest concentration of tribal people since it was formed in 1998.The study highlights the smart, eco-friendly farming practices of these communities and suggests that their traditional knowledge should be combined with modern pest control methods to help create better, low-cost farming in the dry areas where these tribes live.