scholarly journals Richness of non-timber forest products in Himalayan communities—diversity, distribution, use pattern and conservation status

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haseeb Ul Rashid Masoodi ◽  
R. C. Sundriyal

Abstract Background Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important resources for sustenance of rural communities; a systematic planning to manage diverse NTFPs may immensely contribute to food and livelihood security of forest dwellers. Considering this, the present study has been undertaken in the Himachal Pradesh state in north India. It aims to provide detailed information on diversity, distribution, use pattern, and conservation status of selected NTFPs that have market potential, and suggest a possible way for their sustained management and possible role in livelihood upgradation of dependent communities. Methodology An inventory of NTFP species was prepared by collecting secondary information from published scientific studies in journals, books, and other periodicals as well as species being traded as per Forest department records. Search on various online databases were also used (Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, ISI Web of Science) using specific search terms such as “non-timber forest products,” “NTFPs,” “medicinal plants,” “wild edible plants,” and “Himachal Pradesh,” “Western Himalaya,” and “Northwest Himalaya.” A list of potential NTFPs was prepared having market value. To evaluate the relative usefulness of different species, a quantitative valuation was also used by calculating various indices, such as use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural importance index (CI), and cultural value (CV). Results A total of 811 species have been screened that has significant potential for the State, and categorized in 18 groups as per their use. The family use value was highest for Asteraceae (FUV = 76.75). Among plant parts used, whole plants, roots (including rhizomes and tubers), leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, and barks were used by the forest dwellers. Maximum NTFPs were collected from the warm temperate zone, followed by the temperate, sub-alpine, sub-tropical, and alpine zones. Sixty-one percent of species had medicinal importance, followed by species used for food and fodder purposes. Although species richness of medicinal plants decreased with altitude, however, most plants extracted from high altitudes were high-value species fetching better income. As many as 125 NTFPs were identified under the diverse level of threats according to IUCN criteria and as per the local stakeholders’ perceptions. Conclusion High dependence on NTFPs by poor and marginal communities for domestic needs as well as market demand of selected species leads to create excessive pressure on them. Unfortunately, the state agencies are not having any robust conservation plan for NTFPs. For long-term management of NTFPs sector, a species-specific conservation strategy, proper harvesting protocol, cultivation practices, the supply of quality planting material, product development and diversification, value chain development, and ensured market is greatly desired. This will not only lead to conserving NTFPs resources in their natural habitats but also lead a sustainable livelihood generation for forest dwellers.

1970 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 126-147
Author(s):  
Jiban Mani Poudel

This paper presents a short analysis of human-nature relationship among the Bahuban community people of eastern Nepal based on the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs1). The paper basically describes perceptions and understanding of different categories of people towards NTFPs based on symbolic meaning and use-value of these products in their lives. In addition, the paper also shortly discusses indigenous practices for NTFPs management in the study area. DOI: 10.3126/opsa.v11i0.3034 Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology Vol.11 2009 126-147


1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 85-91
Author(s):  
Krisha R Bhattarai ◽  
Bharat B Shrestha ◽  
Hari D Lekhak

Present study was conducted to explore and document the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Nepal Himalaya, and to assess their conservation status. The field data was collected from June 21 to July 15, 2004. Primary information of NTFPs was based on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) which included field observation, interviews and focus group discussion. Altogether 103 species of NTFPs belonging to 40 families and 74 genera, used for food, firewood, fodder, buildings construction, incense, and medicines were recorded from the study area. Out of them, 21 species were found to be dominant, 29 species abundant, 35 species common, 14 not so common and 4 species rare. Furthermore, 17 species of lichens belonging to six families and eight genera were also recorded. Impact on the vegetation was mostly due to the disturbance by tourism, animal grazing, building of houses, fuel wood and timber collection. Ecological study of the representative NTFPs showed that number of medicinal plants was comparatively low in all the areas investigated. Arenaria sp., Rhododendron sp., Juniperus sp., Abies spectabilis., Pinus wallichiana., Betula utilis, Lyonia ovalifolia., Arundinaria sp., Zanthoxylum armatum., Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Ferns, Mushrooms, etc. have been found to be directly or indirectly affected by tourists and guides/porters. Key words: Sagarmatha; NTFPs; Conservation status; Impact; Tourism. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v7i7.3833 Scientific World Vol.7(7) 2009 pp.85-91


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leul Kidane ◽  
Abu Balke Balke

Abstract Background: Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) do have significant role as local source for medicine, fiber, forage and sustenance and offer income opportunities for poverty mitigation mainly in rural families. Sustainable use of NTFPs is imperative so, this study was focused on the documentation of plant species used for NTFPs and their conservation status in Sera forest. Methods: The study applied a combination of plant ecological and ethnobotanical methods. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews which involved 230 (206 randomly sampled general and 24 purposively selected key informants); group discussion, guided field walk and market survey. Data were analyzed and presented using analytical methods of ethnobotany including descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor (ICF) and ranking. Results: A total of 137 plant species belonging to 49 families used as a source of NTFPs were documented from the study area. In addition, 11 major use categories of the NTFPs were identified. Out of these, medicine, fire wood and charcoal making and construction materials were the most dominant uses requiring large volume of NTFPs in the study area. The output of direct matrix ranking of plant species used for multipurpose revealed - Hagenia abyssinica ranked first followed by Olea europaea ssp cuspidata, Grewia mollis, Croton macrostachyus, Ximenia americana and Carissa spinarum. Hence, local communities of the study area possess rich potential indigenous knowledge that helped to use their natural resources for sustainable livelihood. Conclusions: Sera forest is rich in NTFPs bearing plants and associated indigenous conservation knowledge. However, nowadays illegal timber extractions, grazing, over harvesting NTFPs, farm expansion and fire hazards were found to be threatening of the plant resources in the study area. Therefore, awareness creation on complementary conservation (in-situ and ex-situ) and sustainable use of plant resources of the area for higher livelihood outcomes with lower environmental impacts is desirable.


Turczaninowia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Dilip Kumar Roy ◽  
Rikertre Lytan ◽  
David Lalsama Biate ◽  
Nripemo Odyuo

The monotypic ginger genus Stadiochilus R. M. Sm. with S. burmanicus R. M. Sm. earlier known from Myanmar is reported here as a new record for India from the state of Nagaland. A detailed taxonomic description along with photographic illustrations of S. burmanicus is given. For conservation purposes, the IUCN status of this species has been evaluated as Endangered. The present field study ascertained that extraction of timber and non-timber forest products, forest fires and shifting cultivation are the major threats to the species in the locality in Nagaland reported here.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Enny Insusanty ◽  
Ambar Tri Ratnaningsih ◽  
Sri Rahayu Prastyaningsih

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are part of an ecosystem that has diverse roles both for the natural environment and for humans. NTFPs that are commonly used and commercialized include sandalwood, sap, gaharu, sago, rattan, aren, bamboo, medicinal plants and fruit plants. The purpose of this research is to perform financial analysis and feasibility of HHBK especially rubber and durian. The method used is survey method with purposive sampling to rubber farmer and durian in Siak Regency. The analysis of research data is descriptively qualitative. The results showed that rubber value of NPV Rp 7.076.819.809, -, BCR 2.24 and IRR 15.09% while durian has NPV Rp 738.553.324, - BCR 2.00 and IRR 13.67%. Based on the criteria of financial feasibility indicators can be concluded that the rubber cultivation and durian business financially feasible to be developed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezequiel da Costa Ferreira ◽  
Reinaldo Farias Paiva de Lucena ◽  
Rainer W. Bussmann ◽  
Narel Y. Paniagua-Zambrana ◽  
Denise Dias da Cruz

Abstract Background: Open and public markets are the main providers of medicinal plants in urban environments. The present study evaluated the medicinal plants sold in public markets in different municipalities in the mesoregions of the state of Paraíba, northeast of Brazil, and the possible variations in the supply of these plants in the markets over the course of a year. Methods: Thirty-five traders of medicinal plants were interviewed in four mesoregions of different climatic and phytophysiognomic characteristics (ranging from Caatinga to Atlantic Forest). The versatility of the species sold was elucidated using the Relative Importance Index (IR), and the set of species sold by each informant in each mesoregion was compared with each other by similarity analysis Anosim-One, and by the analysis of main coordinates. Results: Punica granatum , Zingiber officinale , and Myracrodruon urundeuva were the species with the highest RI. The analysis of similarity showed distinct differences between the Sertão and all other mesoregions. The analysis highlighted that a mesoregion had an intermediate similarity pattern in relation to the others, for which we suggest the term "biocultural ecotone" or “cultotone”. The absence of 88 species in at least one of the trading locations at some stage of the fieldwork was recorded. Conclusions: The commercialized species do not seem to have a presence / absence relationship in relation to the period of the year or the mesoregion, and there seem to have been changes in the inventory of plants commercialized in markets in recent years. We identified an intermediate zone of knowledge and use of species commercialized between the studied localities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Pramod Ghimire ◽  
Nabaraj Pudasaini ◽  
Uchita Lamichhane

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) consist of goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. The importance of NTFPs for sustaining rural livelihoods, fostering rural poverty alleviation, enhancing biodiversity conservation, and facilitating rural economic growth is well known in Nepal. In spite of these facts, NTFPs have not received the sustained and systematic support. With the gradual rise in population, unsustainable harvesting and depletion of resources, sustainable management of NTFPs has become a challenge. Similarly, the increasing global demand of NTFPs leads to over-exploitation of these resources that further leads to dwindling and adversely affecting the biodiversity. In this context, this paper intends to explore and analyze the conservation status, prospects and challenges for efficient and sustainable management of NTFPs in the context of Nepal.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (26) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Dien Kouayé Olivier

The Upper Bandama fauna and flora reserve, which is part of Côte d'Ivoire's biodiversity conservation strategy, is threatened by the pressure of human activities. The purpose of this article is to make a socio-economic assessment of the exploitation of the natural resources of this protected area. Specifically, it is question of knowing the forms of activities which are developed there, the actors, the strategies of infiltration, and to determine the factors related to this occupation. Based on a data collection work that combines documentary research, semi-structured interviews and direct observation, artisanal gold mining, farming, poaching, fishing and collection of non-timber forest products have been identified as the major forms of degradation of this reserve. These activities involve different profiles of actors who have accessed the reserve under various conditions. They can be explained by the economic dynamism of the peripheral zone, the recomposition of this zone in the face of demographic pressure and land issues, the non-integration of the legal status of the reserve and the invisibility of the key actors. The study ends with perspectives for sustainable management of this reserve.


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