A study by researchers from Nagaland University has identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) across 20 villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya, highlighting their significant contribution to tribal livelihoods, household incomes, local economies and biodiversity conservation.
The study, conducted among 250 households, documented the collection, utilisation and economic value of plant- and animal-based NTFPs. Researchers found that forest-dependent communities use these resources for food, beverages, medicines and other value-added products, while surplus produce is sold in local markets, providing an important source of supplementary income beyond traditional agriculture.
The researchers have called for sustainable utilisation and management of NTFPs through ecological assessments, scientific identification and structured harvesting guidelines to ensure the long-term availability of these resources. They also highlighted the potential of NTFPs to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for marginalised communities living in remote forest areas.
A key finding was that most of the identified NTFPs were primarily used for nourishment, followed by therapeutic purposes. The study also documented the plant parts commonly harvested, seasonal availability, frequency of collection, time spent on collection trips and distances travelled by villagers.
Among the findings, bamboo shoot emerged as the highest-return NTFP in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was identified as the most common and highest-return NTFP in Nagaland.
Explaining the significance of the research, Prof. Sanjoy Das of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, said the economic value of many NTFPs remains inadequately recognised despite India’s rich biodiversity. He said the study documented commonly available NTFPs, their collection and utilisation patterns, and their economic value, underscoring their importance to rural livelihoods and the need for sustainable management.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the study represented an important contribution towards addressing the socio-economic and ecological priorities of the Northeast. He said identifying the economic value of 47 NTFPs was a significant step towards recognising the potential of forest resources to strengthen rural livelihoods and food security.
He expressed hope that the findings would contribute to informed policy decisions and promote sustainable utilisation of natural resources for present and future generations.
The study was undertaken by Limasunep Ozukum, Prof Sanjoy Das, Prof Amod Sharma, Prof R Nakhro, Prof NK Patra, Prof Manoj Dutta and M Jangyukala of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Indian Journal of Ecology, which covers research in ecology, environmental science, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and ecosystem sustainability.
The study noted that Northeast India contains more than 33 per cent of India’s total flora and is home to more than 100 indigenous communities that depend on forest resources for sustenance and income. While India has around 3,000 NTFP species, only about 126 have developed marketability, pointing to considerable scope for scientific identification, valuation, processing and market development.
The researchers emphasised that the importance of NTFPs extends beyond their direct market value, encompassing subsistence needs, ecological services and cultural significance. They said scientific management and value addition could help transform these forest resources into sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring their conservation for future generations.
