Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
10 No.
October 2023, 221-237
ISSN 2355-7079/E-ISSN 2406-8195
THE VALUE OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFP.
IN PROMOTING INDIA'S RURAL LIVELIHOODS Sujoy Hazari1*.
Mamoni Kalita1, and Biswajit Lahiri2 Faculty of Management and Commerce.
The ICFAI University.
Tripura.
Kamalghat.
India-799210 Department of Extension and Social Sciences.
College of Fisheries.
Central Agricultural University (Impha.
Lembucherra.
Agartala.
Tripura.
India-799210 Received: 23 August 2021.
Revised: 13 April 2023.
Accepted: 19 September 2023 THE VALUE OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFP.
IN PROMOTING INDIA'S RURAL LIVELIHOODS.
Non-timber forest products (NTFP.
are biological elements other than wood that are usually collected from forests for human and animal use and have both a consumptive and an exchange value.
NTFPs provide a major contribution to the livelihood and health of the poor.
The article aims to describe the present condition of NTFPs and marketing issues for NTFPs in India, as well as their importance in improving rural livelihoods.
A systematic research review approach was used to get the desired results.
The study retrieved approximately 238 articles from different databases and filtered 191, highlighting 51 articles related to the keywords, published between 1988 and 2022 were included in the analysis.
During the investigation, forty-one numbers of NTFPs were identified and documented, and numerous potential NTFPs for enterprise growth have been identified according to the different zones of India.
Rural people are using NTFPs for a wide range of uses, including food, fodder, fibre, traditional medicine, domestic items, agricultural equipment, and construction materials, and many of them are linked to cultures.
Promotion and domestication of NTFPs, as well as suitable policy frameworks for harvesting and better processing techniques, are all required for increased food security, poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods.
Sitespecific and species-specific strategies may be created for the preservation, management, and exploitation of NTFP resources.
NTFPs play a significant role in improving rural livelihoods in India, as well as providing a valuable source of employment for rural residents, though it has a complex marketing system.
Keywords: Non-Timber Forest Products, livelihood, rural, income.
NTFPs Policy NILAI HASIL HUTAN BUKAN KAYU (HHBK) DALAM MEMPROMOSIKAN PENGHIDUPAN PERDESAAN INDIA.
Hasil hutan bukan kayu (HHBK) adalah unsur hayati selain kayu yang biasanya dikumpulkan dari hutan untuk dimanfaatkan oleh manusia dan hewan serta mempunyai nilai konsumsi dan nilai tukar.
HHBK memberikan kontribusi besar terhadap penghidupan dan kesehatan masyarakat miskin.
Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menggambarkan kondisi HHBK saat ini dan permasalahan pemasaran HHBK di India, serta pentingnya hal tersebut dalam meningkatkan penghidupan pedesaan.
Pendekatan tinjauan penelitian sistematis digunakan untuk mendapatkan hasil yang Studi ini mengambil sekitar 238 artikel dari database yang berbeda dan menyaring 191, menyoroti 51 artikel yang terkait dengan kata kunci, diterbitkan antara tahun 1988 dan 2022 dimasukkan dalam analisis.
Selama investigasi, empat puluh satu HHBK diidentifikasi dan didokumentasikan dan banyak HHBK yang potensial untuk pertumbuhan usaha telah diidentifikasi berdasarkan zona berbeda di India.
Masyarakat pedesaan menggunakan HHBK untuk berbagai keperluan, termasuk makanan, pakan ternak, serat, obat-obatan tradisional, barang-barang rumah tangga, peralatan pertanian, dan bahan bangunan, dan banyak di antaranya terkait dengan budaya.
Promosi dan domestikasi HHBK, serta kerangka kebijakan yang sesuai untuk pemanenan dan teknik pengolahan yang lebih baik, semuanya diperlukan untuk meningkatkan ketahanan pangan, pengentasan kemiskinan, dan peningkatan mata pencaharian.
Strategi spesifik lokasi dan spesies dapat dibuat untuk pelestarian, pengelolaan, dan eksploitasi sumber daya HHBK.
HHBK memainkan peran penting dalam meningkatkan penghidupan pedesaan di India, serta menyediakan sumber lapangan kerja yang berharga bagi penduduk pedesaan meskipun sistem pemasarannya rumit.
Kata kunci: Hasil Hutan Bukan Kayu, mata pencaharian, pedesaan, penghasilan, kebijakan HHBK Corresponding author: sujoyhazari@iutripura.
A2023 IJFR.
Open access under CC BY-NC-SA license.
doi:10.
59465/ijfr.
Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
10 No.
October 2023, 221-237
INTRODUCTION
Non-timber forest products (NTFP.
are forest products other than timber (Pandey et , 2.
Non-timber forest products have recently been recognized as valuable forest products, although only in rural areas (Ahenkan & Boon, 2.
These products have long been used as an important component of rural livelihood, and, importantly.
NTFPs have been identified as essential forest products (Chandrasekharan, 1.
Exudates .
um, resins, and late.
to canes, fruits, flowers, seeds, seed derivatives, whole leaves, root or stem bark, fungi, microorganisms, and insects are among the forest products available for different consumable and non-consumable uses in the According to Angelsen et al.
and Shackleton & Pullanikkatil .
the use of NTFPs has been accepted to contribute to the well-being of the different rural and urban families and communities throughout the world in many ways.
NTFPs are essential for the functioning, security, and decrease of sustenance (Cocksedge, 2006.
Cocks & Wiersum, 2003.
Endamana et al.
, 2.
By their medicinal and dietary properties.
NTFPs provide a significant contribution to impoverished people's health.
has a significant cultural value and importance for various ethnic communities across the In and within the forest areas and communities, the income shares from NTFPs range up to 50 percent (Angelsen et al.
, 2014.
Vedeld et al.
, 2.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the demand for NTFPs.
NTFPs offer nutrients, medications, fodder, timber, thatch, and building equipment, as well as mulch and non-farm earnings to rural NTFP goods also give significant nutrition not only to forest dwellers but also to the rural community (Wahyudi, 2.
On the basis of multiple uses.
NTFP has been identified in over 3,000 species in IndiaAos forests and ecosystems (Tewari, 2.
According to Figure 2, there are different major NTFPs prominently found in the different states.
In India.
NTFPs
ISSN 2355-7079/E-ISSN 2406-8195
generate $2.
7billion yearly in cash and non-cash income and employ 55% of the forestry labor (Chauhan et al.
, 2008.
Shiva & Verma, 2.
In India, the rural regions contribute almost 70% of NTFP collections for sustainability (Mitchell et al.
, 2.
Rural inhabitants may satisfy their daily requirements and earn money quickly by collecting and selling NTFP commodities, but because there are so many routes for processors, consumers, traders, manufacturers, and exporters, the market channel has become complicated (Wahyudi.
Yadav & Misra, 2.
According to (Mirjam &Tonen, 1.
, there is a larger demand for NTFPs and a greater risk of overexploitation.
NTFPs also have some entrepreneurial value according to the different parts of India.
Given the importance of NTFPs in livelihoods, particularly in developing countries, it is surprising that the sector continues to receive so ittlee attention in budgets and in policies development, as well as in relevant government programs, forestry budgets, and forest-related products (Shackleton & Pandey, 2.
According to Das and Prakash .
, the NTFPs are crucial in ensuring the economic and nutritional security of rural and tribal residents, as well as in reducing malnutrition and ending poverty in these areas.
In such situations, the commercial production and use of NTFPs can provide revenue for disadvantaged rural inhabitants and lessen their obligations in terms of money and daily living (Lahiri, 2.
Adequate conservation strategies and policies should be developed to offer both in-situ and ex-situ protection for these NTFPs as an additional safeguard against the loss of biodiversity (Lahiri et al.
, 2.
The popularization of these NTFPs as a livelihood opportunity could be a vital intervention in this regard.
Before taking a sincere attempt in that line, the situation arises a pertinent research question to answer: Does the existing economic condition of rural people from the NTFP have the potential for socioeconomic development through livelihood The Value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
In Promoting India's Rural Livelihoods .
(Sujoy Hazari et al.
generation activity? Therefore, the article aims to describe the current status, usages, economic contribution, and marketing practices of the NTFP.
The article also explores the emerging issues and policies for improving the rural livelihoods of India.
II.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
In terms of methodological approaches, relevant material on the current state of NonTimber Forest Products (NTFP.
has been observed for investigating their significant roles in livelihood development and income The relevant literature was collected from different journals, articles, books, reports, conference papers, and government Only research publications relating to significance in livelihood were selected for the study.
Theoretical papers containing key concepts were also included.
Based on standards and subject-related keywords, a systematic review was done.
A systematic research review approach (Petticrew & Roberts, 2.
was used by involving searching, compiling, selecting, and using critical viewpoints to get the desired The research utilized pertinent online publications sourced from a variety of platforms, including Google Scholar.
Science Direct, and Scopus website.
The search criteria employed were characterized by a high degree of sensitivity, low specificity, and a focus solely on the subject matter.
Our analysis was conducted through a singular level of coding based on emergent themes.
Specifically, the search terms 'non-timber forest product fruit', 'wild edible fruit', and 'rural livelihood' were employed in English language searches on Scopus and Web of Science during the period of 2021-22.
The articles were subsequently filtered to encompass subjects within the domains of agriculture, biology, economics, environmental science and studies, food science, forestry, plant science, social science, and urban studies.
Consequently, articles pertaining to fields such as chemistry, engineering, genetics, immunology, medicine, microbiology, etc.
, were deliberately excluded.
In aggregate, these searches produced a total of 238 distinct outcomes.
These literary works underwent a screening process to assess their pertinence to the conservation, ecology, economics, and ethnobotany of wild edible fruits.
At this juncture, articles delving into nutrient composition, historical and horticultural records, as well as pharmacology of wild fruits, contingent on their country locations or study areas .
mounting to 191 article.
, were omitted.
Following this screening process, which took into account the country locations or study areas and their relevance to the specified keywords, only 51 out of the initial 238 articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in the analysis.
The temporal boundaries of the study were set from 1988 to 2022.
Additionally, the research incorporated insights gleaned from the authors' personal experiences with Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP).
Finally, data was collected, assessed, and subsequently presented in various tabular formats to facilitate illustration and discussion.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Status of NTFP in the Indian economy The importance of NTFP in rural India and the forest economy is enormous.
The forests and ecosystems of India include more than 3,000 plants that are known as NTFPs (Tewari, 2.
These plants provide the forest inhabitants with a sizable quantity of yearly revenue as well as job opportunities.
Furthermore, such resources account for forest incomes and forest-based export revenue is 50 percent and 70 percent, respectively (Chauhan et al.
, 2008.
Shiva & Verma, 2.
According to Statista .
, in the Indian economy's forest products sector in 2023, the gross value added of non-timber forest products was around 265 billion Indian rupees in the fiscal year 2020, which is higher than the previous fiscal year, and the range of forest Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
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Source: Statista, 2023 Figure 1.
Gross value of NTFPs from India .
n billion Indian rupee.
products contributed over 13 percent to the gross value of non-timber forest products.
According to studies conducted in India.
NTFPs are important contributors to rural forest-dependent individuals, many of whom have few non-agricultural economic alternatives (Chandrasekharan, 1998.
FAO, 1.
In India, the rural areas account for around 70 percent of NTFP collection for their sustainability (Mitchell et al.
, 2.
According to the research.
NTFP-based small-scale companies offer up to 50 percent of income for 20 to 30 percent of the rural labor force.
As a result, for forest dwellers, collecting NTFPs was a key source of money and employment.
According to the findings, the central Indian zone, north Himalayan zone, western Indian zone, southern Indian zone, and north-eastern zone each has 10, 8, 9, 8, and 12 potential NTFPs that have been identified for enterprise development in India.
The list of some potential NTFPs as developing enterprises according to the different zones of India is given in Table 1.
Types of NTFPs and Utilization in India There are two types of NTFPs: consumable and non-consumable.
Consumable NTFPs are used at the individual and household level and also function as marketable commodities, whereas non-consumable NTFPs are associated with the indirect benefit of effective forest management and encouraging ecotourism (Shrestha et al.
, 2.
In ancient India, forest-dwelling tribals have lived on their inherited lands.
NTFPs are necessary for their survival and maintenance of forest ecosystems.
NTFP collections are very common for the tribal populations, and they have a high traditional value.
These are readily available in the forest and provide a valuable source of monetary benefits for the tribal (Figure .
Table 2 .
ee Appendix .
presents a comprehensive overview of various potential Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
along with their respective uses and collection periods.
In the course of this research, a total of fortyone NTFPs were identified and documented.
These resources have served diverse human needs since ancient times (Panayotou & Ashton, 1992.
Sonowal, 2.
, encompassing functions such as sustenance, fiber, fodder, traditional medicine, agricultural tools, domestic materials, construction resources, and cultural significance (Chopra, 1.
Wild edible items stand out as rich sources of essential nutrients like vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and Depending on their availability, these products can be consumed throughout the year The Value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
In Promoting India's Rural Livelihoods .
(Sujoy Hazari et al.
Table 1.
List of NTFPs having potential for enterprise development in India Sl.
No.
Central Indian Zone North Himalayan Tendu leaf (Diospyros melanoxylo.
Western Indian Zone Southern Indian Zone North-Eastern Zone Bay (Laurus nobili.
Tendu leaf (Diospyros Broom grass (Thysanolyna Sal leaves (Shorea Jatamansi (Nardostachys Bael (Aeglemarmelo.
Chironji (Buchanania Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum Mahagli/ swallow root (Decalepsis Tulsi (Ocimum spp.
Chronji (Buchanania lanza.
Lac (Kerria lacc.
Lichen (Jhul.
(Parmelia perlat.
Salai/Salaiguggul (Boswellia serrat.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indic.
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroo.
Guggal gum (Commiphora wight.
Sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binat.
Chirata (Swertia chirat.
Bahera (Terminalia belliric.
Kalmegh (Andrographis Mahua (Madhuca Sal seeds (Shorea Anola (Emblica Reetha (Sapindus Karanj (Millettia pinnat.
Bamboo (Bambusa spp.
Phrynium (Phrynium pubinerv.
Tamarind (Tamarindus Kachanar (Bauhinia spp.
Sandal (Santalum Orchid (Dendrobium spp.
Harra (Terminalia chebul.
Kokam (Garcinia indic.
Ashoka (Saracaasoc.
Pine (Pinu ssp.
Chrota/ Wild Senna (Cassia tor.
Cinchona (Cinchona officinali.
Mahua .
adhuca Latifoli.
Satawar (Asparagus Chirata (Swertiachirat.
Soft Bolly gum (Litsea glutinos.
Bay (Laurus nobili.
Agar (Acqularia spp.
Kalmegh (Andrographis Cane (Calamus spp.
Source: Planning Commission, 2011 (Sundriyal & Sundriyal, 2.
Additionally, aside from villagers residing at the forest periphery, other rural communities engage in the collection of NTFPs for economic gain through market sales (Sarmah et al.
, 2.
For traditional forest dwellers.
NTFPs are crucial for their sustenance, shelter, and healthcare needs, thereby exerting a substantial influence on the enhancement of rural economies.
These products are indispensable for fulfilling daily dietary requisites (Vedeld et al.
, 2.
In order to meet their day-to-day necessities, individuals gather an assortment of resources such as fruits, leaves, fibers, gums, dyes, honey, wax, and so forth.
Notably, there are certain non-timber forest products that remain available yearround, significantly impacting the livelihoods of rural communities.
Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
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Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Government of India .
Figure 2.
State-wise availability of NTFPs Contribution of NTFPs to Income Generation In India.
NTFPs are linked to the socioeconomic and cultural lives of forestdependent people living in a variety of ecological and geo-climatic settings across the nation (Pandey & Bisaria, 1.
NTFPs serve significant purposes in the economics of the households of rural communities that live near or in the forest.
NTFPs first assist householdAos subsistence and consumption requirements for energy, nourishment, medical, and building, among other things.
Second, they are viewed as a safety net during times of recession, , income losses from specific sources of output, such as crop failur.
, and third, certain NTFPs provide daily cash flow (Angelsen& Wunder, 2.
Timber production, or land conversion to pastureland or farming, may not be as important as NTFPs in terms of usage and monetary value.
Local and wide-scale commercialization of NTFPs is also on the rise in several locations, giving cash income to a rising number of people (Cunningham, 2011.
Welford & Breton, 2.
In India.
NTFPs provide 10 to 70% of total income and 25 to 50% of food requirements, and over 50 million people rely on them for both cash income and survival (Hegde et al.
NTFPs account for almost 50% of India's forest revenue and 70% of its forestbased export income (Singh et al.
, 2.
NTFPs provide greater opportunities to the rural tribal people.
According to a study conducted by Peerzada et al.
in 2022, in the Himalayan region of India.
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
accounted for 53.
33% of household This was followed by income from labor .
27%), goat/sheep husbandry .
46%), dairy .
85%), and agricultural crops .
80%).
Other sources of income included arts and crafts .
49%), horticulture .
46%),
and services .
34%).
The research also revealed a noteworthy correlation between the socioeconomic status of families and their reliance on NTFPs for livelihood (Peerzada et , 2.
The Value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
In Promoting India's Rural Livelihoods .
(Sujoy Hazari et al.
The majority of NTFP-related operations, such as collecting, plucking, processing, transport, and marketing, are labor-intensive and offer job opportunities.
In India, 20 to 30% of the rural labour population receives up to 50% of their income from NTFPs-based small-scale enterprises, although the forestry industry as a whole account for 55% of all employment (Singh et al.
, 2.
A favorable investment environment can help a rural individual find work, which decreases the high flow of migration of rural youth to urban areas and other countries for income generation and This will also help to alleviate poverty by offering chances for local income According to a report by the Government of India, the NTFPs trade, which includes the gathering and processing of commercially important NTFP species, created at least 35 million man-days of employment (Pandey et , 2.
NTFPs play a significant role in the livelihoods of forest-dependent rural people, and they have very little non-agricultural income share.
Collection and marketing of NTFP commodities might generate immediate revenue, provide alternative jobs, and provide enough money to meet the daily needs of rural residents (Wahyudi, 2.
NTFPs Opportunities Livelihoods Rural Many researchers have acknowledged the importance of non-timber forest products (NTFP.
in supporting rural community resilience and livelihood development in both developed and developing countries (Campbell &Luckert, 2012.
Cavendish, 2000.
Karki & Bhattarai, 2012.
Mukul et al.
, 2.
A sustainable livelihood includes both tangible and intangible social activities and resources (DFID, 2.
Traditional and essentially.
NTFPs are linked to the livelihoods of rural people, and they also have the ability to reduce seasonal and long-term malnutrition, as well as food insecurity.
In India, local people have a deep understanding of the forest resources, which they employ for food security and agricultural productivity.
Rural communities generate revenue from these sources, which gives an alternate source of income.
NTFPs have played a significant role in Indian forest policy and cumulative development planning.
With the rising concern for conservation, as well as rural poverty and sustainable development, academics, conservation and development groups have worked to bring NTFPs to the forefront of discussion in recent decades (Belcher et al.
, 2005.
Subedi, 2.
Compared to other sustainable income-generating options, the collection and marketing of NTFPs is a feasible source of subsistence of livelihood, income, and safety net options throughout the Indian forest edge communities (Peerzada et , 2.
As a result, numerous developing nations, including India, have been under pressure to create smooth marketing practices and policies that support NTFPs.
Marketing Issues for NTFPs The NTFP market is very complicated due to the large number of stakeholders at the collector, trader, and processing levels.
The marketAos complexity of NTFP is due to the absence of proper herb identification and final product categorization techniques, government control and market monitoring, and an appraisal of NTFPs, including medicinal plant inventories available in the forests (Sari, 2.
Thirteen marketing channel has been observed:.
C1: Collector IeVillage agent Ie Wholesaler IeConsumer.
C2: Collector Ie Village agent Ie Wholesaler IeInter-state exporter / Outside trader.
C3: Collector Ie Village agent Ie Processor IeWholesaler IeRetailerIe Consumer.
C4: Collector Ie Village agent Ie Processor IeRetailer IeConsumer.
C5: Collector Ie Village agent IeWholesaler IeRetailer IeConsumer.
C6: Collector Ie Wholesaler IeInter-state exporter / Outside trader.
C7: Collector Ie Wholesaler IeRetailer Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
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October 2023, 221-237 IeConsumer.
C8: Collector Ie Wholesaler Ie Consumer.
C9: Collector Ie Processor IeWholesaler IeRetailer IeConsumer.
C10: Collector Ie Processor IeWholesaler Ie Inter-state exporter / Outside trader.
C11: Collector Ie Processor IeRetailer IeConsumer.
C12: Collector Ie Retailer IeConsumer and C13: Collector Ie Consumer Local collectors of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
have two main options for their collections: either they consume a portion themselves, or they sell it to consumers, local processing units, traders within the community, and village agents.
Market players at different tiers are motivated by the goal of maximizing profits in their collection and sale of these products (Yadav & Misra, 2.
However, the demand for NTFPs at the local level presents challenges due to the various forms in which they are traded, including raw, semi-processed, and fully processed, and the diverse channels through which they are distributed.
At the manufacturing or processing level, there are several primary and intermediate processors Initial processing may be carried out by collectors and cultivators, while intermediate processors acquire the herbs from collectors and local traders, process them further, and then distribute them to larger manufacturers or local markets.
With numerous processors, consumers, traders, manufacturers, and exporters in the market, the channels for NTFPs have become intricate and multifaceted (Yadav & Misra, 2.
Emerging Issues and Policy NTFPs have garnered attention in international discussions due to their potential role in livelihood and poverty reduction, making it critical for governments to implement propoor reforms in the forest sector to safeguard and increase the livelihood advantages to rural Despite the fact that NTFPs have been discussed in the policy agenda of significant international forums, treaties, and continuing global assessments, there is limited information on NTFP-specific policies at the international, national, or regional levels (Ahenkan& Boon.
In India.
NTFP meets the needs of rural and tribal communities for firewood, forage, minor forest produce, and small timber.
Specific rights and concessions for special groups or communities such as tribals, scheduled castes, and other disadvantaged people living in and around forests are explicitly specified in the policy (Bhavan, 1.
In 2006, the Forestry Commission emphasized the necessity for Figure 3.
Marketing channels of NTFP
ISSN 2355-7079/E-ISSN 2406-8195
The Value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP.
In Promoting India's Rural Livelihoods .
(Sujoy Hazari et al.
enhanced regulation of unsustainable biotic activities, specifically grazing, tendu leaf collection, sal seed harvesting, and fuel wood Additionally, there was a call for the promotion and commercialization of medicinal plants in the North-East region.
This proposition holds significant promise in offering landowners in the area a viable alternative to the practice of Jhuming, or slashand-burn cultivation.
However, the legislative frameworks of different state of countries are not clear or do not offer sufficient security of tenure for forest-dependent populations (Pandey et al.
Certain prerequisites must be met before investing in locally controlled forestry.
NTFP
laws and policies may enhance ecological sustainability, trade equality, and better rural lives with more information, effective stakeholder engagements, and strategic policy-making Policies and legislation should reflect the level to which NTFP resources, markets, and stakeholders are commercialized.
Incentives and supporting legal frameworks, such as government assistance for the producer, trader, and processor market access and premium pricing through certification, tax breaks, and outreach and education on new policies and regulations, are key to the success of NTFP A regulatory structure, including permits, quotas, tariffs, and trade restrictions, is also required, especially when there is rapid and significant commercial demand.
Governments need to address NTFP legislation in ways that take into account the financial, conservational, and social costs and benefits of such measures, as well as government implementation capacity and compliance likelihood.
Discussion A sustainable livelihood consists of the skills, resources .
ncluding both financial and social activitie.
, and resources necessary for a means of subsistence (DFID, 2.
Traditionally and essentially.
NTFPs are connected to the livelihoods of rural human beings.
People have utilized non-timber forest items for an assortment of purposes since forever ago, for food, feed, fibre, customary medication, homegrown materials, horticultural executes, and development materials, and a significant number of them are related to societies (Chopra, 1.
NTFPs mainly help families' resource and utilization necessities for energy, sustenance, clinical, and working, in addition to other things as they are seen as a security net during seasons of the downturn and certain NTFPs also give daily income.
For 20 to 30 percent of the rural labor population.
NTFP-based small-scale businesses provide up to 50 percent of their revenue by which.
NTFP collection was a major source of income and employment for forest inhabitants (Joshi, 2.
The study highlights that rural livelihood and sustenance are mostly dependent on particular NTFP species.
Some of the consumable and non-consumable non-timber forest products (NTFP.
species are enrolled and recognized as their source of income.
During the present investigation, forty-one NTFPs were identified and documented.
It includes different seeds, plate-making leaves, tans and dyes, gum and resin, culinary goods, oil-producing bamboo, fiber, thatching, broom-making plants, and medicinal plants.
The NTFP market is very complicated due to the large number of stakeholders with different marketing functions.
As this is a potential venture, smooth marketing regulation, policies, and laws for collection and marketing should reflect the commercialization of NTFP resources, markets, and stakeholders.
Proper implementation of a minimum support price (MSP) scheme for the non-timber forest products will enhance the forest dwellers' income level and develop the value chain for NTFPs, which includes the creation of cold storage facilities, warehouses, processing units and modernization of markets(Singh et al.
A regulatory framework is necessary, especially when commercial demand for NTFPs is high and growing.
In terms of policy implication, governments must assess the financial, environmental, social, and political benefits and costs of NTFP law before passing Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research Vol.
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October 2023, 221-237 it because there is no national consensus, and the states' monopoly rights are uncertain (Pandey et al.
, 2.
IV.
CONCLUSION
NTFPs are abundant in India, and they play a significant role in improving rural income.
NTFP businesses have the ability to help alleviate poverty and enhance livelihood opportunities.
According to the findings of the study, several prospective NTFPs for enterprise growth have been found in various zones of India.
A total of forty-one NTFPs were discovered and recorded throughout this research.
It comprises seeds, plate-making leaves, tans and colors, gum and resin, culinary items, oil-producing bamboo, fibre, thatching, broom-making plants, and medicinal plants, among other things.
Since the time immemorial, humans have used nontimber forest products for a variety of reasons.
The ability to grow and commercialize NTFPs should be given to local communities for their empowerment and for obtaining profitable returns from NTFPs.
communities should be equipped with information about the market, legislation, and goods.
There are thirteen numbers of marketing channels that have been The NTFPsAo marketing channels are very complex as large numbers of stakeholders at the collection, trading, and processing levels.
Food security, enterprise development, and improved livelihoods all need the promotion and domestication of NTFPs, as well as appropriate policy frameworks for harvesting and better processing techniques.
For the protection, management, and exploitation of NTFP resources, site-specific and species-specific strategies and policies may be developed.
Other than the forest department, some organizations such as the Department of Rural Development.
AYUSH (Ayurveda.
Yoga and Naturopathy.
Unani.
Siddha and Homeopath.
, industries and employment generation, tribal welfare, biodiversity, biotechnology may become imperative for the government to adopt an inclusive approach in NTFP management.
These NTFP products are eco-friendly, easy ISSN 2355-7079/E-ISSN 2406-8195 to use, a remunerative piece of art for urban residents, and, most importantly, they may be a significant source of sustenance for rural These NTFPs may be collected throughout the year, providing a reliable source of income for the tribals in this area while also providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs to thrive.
NTFPs play a significant role in improving rural livelihood in India and provide an important source of employment for rural
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the ICFAI University in Tripura for providing us with this opportunity and for their unwavering support throughout the study We thank the anonymous referees for their valuable input.
DECLARATION
We declare that this work is an original report of our research, has been written by us, and has not been submitted anywhere for publication.
The work is almost entirely our own work.
collaborative contributions have been indicated clearly and acknowledged.
REFERENCES