Perspectives of Tribal Communities on NTFP Resource Use in a Global Hotspot: Implications for Adaptive Management

Abstract

Tribal communities depend on a large variety of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for their diverse needs, which has attracted high interest in recent years in view of increasing rural incomes and stimulating the forest management. This study investigates forest dependent (NTFPs based) livelihood in an ethnically diverse area in Northeast India, a global hotspot. We addressed two research questions: (1) what is the diversity of NTFPs resources that communities extract from the forest reserves to supplement their home needs? and (2) what are the perceptions of communities about sustainable development of NTFPs resources? We recorded 343 plant species that were used to fulfill varied needs of five tribal communities. Of them, 32% species harvested for their leaves and 27% for fruits. Dependence on NTFPs was more at high mountains. The seasonal use of NTFPs revealed that 79% species collected during lean period. Community perception on use of NTFPs revealed that 11% species consumed most frequently and 53% commonly. It was interesting to note that community residents sell as many as 76 species in the local markets to earn cash. All households collect NTFPs for sustenance while 31-41% households involved in commercial collection of species, viz. Taxus wallichiana, Aconitum fletcherianum, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Swertia chirayita, Illicium griffithii, and Thalictrum foliolosum. There was a gradual decrease in use of NTFPs with young age because of high labour and availability of other options. The communities perceived that unscientific and excessive harvesting may threatened these species in near future. For adaptive management of NTFPs, communities suggested that capacity building on maximum allowable harvests and yield regulation measures, tenure improvement, domestication and plantations of selected species along with access to markets for NTFPs products will create better economic gains for communities at the same time it will lead to sustainable management of NTFPs.

Keywords: Northeast India; global hotspot; NTFPs; sustainable use; consumption pattern; enterprises; livelihoods; adaptive management