TREES AS INSURANCE AGAINST CONTINGENCIES - CASE OF PANCHMAHALS DISTRICT, GUJARAT

In industrialised countries and parts of the third world insurance schemes are available to protect individuals, households and businesses against a great variety of potential risks or contingencies. However, in rural areas in the third world insurance is generally unavailable or too costly. The sale or mortgaging of assets is a method that is often used to generate income to meet contingencies. Trees are one type of asset that could be used as an insurance substitute in this way. An enquiry into this tendency based on evidence gathered form the Panchmahals district of Gujarat.