Analysis of non-timber forest product’s availability and livelihood in Nandurbar district (M.S)

This article attempts to focus on the current status of NTFPs and its importance in the tribal livelihood. NTFPs provide tribal people with food, fuel, medicine, construction materials, and income. About 70 percent of the tribal population in selected sample villages depend on the NTFPs for their livelihood. NTFPs have commercial, socio-economic and environmental values in tribal communities. More than 68 species of plants are recognized as producing NTFPs and about 50 species of these are commonly used in local trade. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are the forest products derived from both plants and animals whose tangible values are often made to avert reaching a region exchequer. Throughout the human history, these products are used by a variety of purposes like food, fuel, fodder, fibber traditional medicine, agricultural amenities, domestic materials, construction materials, and the likes. Many traditional beliefs and cultural values are also associated with these products. The present study is carried out in Satpura Hills and Forest of Nandurbar district in Maharashtra to understand the importance of NTFPs in the daily life of tribal people living in the area adjacent to the forest, the economic importance of NTFPs used by them and evaluate the lacunae of government strategies for their preservation.Objectives of the Study1.To determine the role of forest products in a tribal livelihood system.2.To estimate the contribution of NTFPs to household income and employment. 3.To study the contribution of NTFPs such as Amchoor, Mahua, Chironji, Hirada, Jamun, Oalame, etc. to income for ensuring food and livelihood security.4.To analyze the methods of collection, processing and marketing of NTFPs. 5.To find out the problems faced by tribal communities engaged in Non-Timber forest production.

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Gender of NTFPs Collectors (Percentage) /... and Female and more: Amchoor vs Mahua Flowers vs Mahua Seeds vs Chironji Nut vs HiradaClose ×

Replotted from Table 3 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

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Introduction

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are the products that are derived from forests other than timber NTFPs have recently been considered an important forest product, but for rural communities. These products have always been an important life support system For diverse ethnic groups all over the world, they have important cultural values and significance. NTFP revenue shares are ranging from just few percent to over 50 percent in and between region's communities. In the western Satpura of Nandurbar district in Akkalkuwa and Dhadgaon tehsil informal channels for NTFPs harvesting and storage than formal channels. The collection and processes of NTFPs in the study area is carried out mainly by tribal groups. They collect and processes for their family requirements, and to sell. They sell about 90 percent NTFPs at the local market directly, while others are sold or exchange to basic things of village level glossary shops. They sell some NTFPs like Mahua flowers, Tadi, Rosha grass, Jamun and Oalame directly to the consumer. This structure of NTFPs collection and processes are not subject matter to any limitation or rule.

Meaning and Definition of Non-Timber Forest Products

The Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) include all biological materials other than timber extracted from natural forests and non-forest for human and animal use and have both consumptive and exchange value. NTFPs comprise medicinal plants, fruits, resins barks, roots and tubers, leaves, flowers, seeds, dry fruits & nut, honey and so on. They are also known as Non-wood, minor, secondary, special forest products.

In India, there are no specific (Legal) definitions of terms like Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) or Minor Forest Products (MFPs). Till the Schedule Tribe and other traditional forest Dwellers, Forest Rights Act, 2006 defined MFPs as under, "Minor forest produce includes all nontimber forest produce of plant origin including bamboo, brushwood, stumps, cane, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu/kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tubers and alike".

Review of literature

A very few geography researchers worked on NTFPs, in India. The importance of NTFPs discussed in a global context. It included the types and nature of NTFPs worldwide, for domestic as well as commercial purposes. The collection of NTFPs from the local forest and their cultivated areas for getting cash income or used by indigenous people themselves can be traced thousands of year ago. Collection and use of NTFPs is a key issue and related not only to living standards improvement and traditional culture of indigenous people but also conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development of concerned regions (Lhungdim et al., 2023) [10] . Traditional market not only provides a major venue to indigenous people for getting cash income from their products but also is important sites for spreading traditional knowledge on plant use and conservation. However, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) play a dominant role among the tribal people and provide a source of income and subsistence living. NTFPs have importantly been cited as a significant forest product showed that NTFPs have been widely known to lead to the wellbeing of several rural and urban households and communities worldwide in different forms reported that NTFPs are critical to the functioning, security, and reduction of subsistence, particularly for people residing in forest areas explained that there are three major reasons for the forest dwellers to be reliant on the forest products. They stated first of all, the collection of forest products can be an 'attractive' job for them, secondly, it could be the only option and the only way to struggle with poverty, and finally, forest people follow these activities due to strong cultural or spiritual reasons. Identified that NTFPs are collected by forest dwellers, living within or outside forest areas, for the subsistence as well as commercial purposes. Around 400 million people directly and more than 1 billion people indirectly depend on NTFPs throughout the world. Elicited that in Africa, forest people collect NTFPs for food, fuel, medicines, decorative, construction materials, fodder, industrial raw materials etc. he show In Sierra Leone, for example, about 14 percent of foodstuffs and 32 percent of medicines are produced from NTFPs. About 10 percent of tribal people tribal in Ghana collects NTFPs on a regular basis for their cash income purposes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, tribal people are involved in NTFP collection for cash income purposes only. Find out at least 150 Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) are of major significance in national and international trade, and the annual export value of these products was estimated at $11 billion in 1994. China is the prime exporter of NWFPs, followed by India, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Pointed out that the most reliable estimates indicate that from 200 million to 300 million people earn much of their subsistence income from non-industrial forest products. Found that the NTFPs generate the revenues for supporting the rural people instead of having a contribution to the construction-oriented appeal summarize that the Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) presently provide subsistence, employment, and income, particularly for the rural poor, and support small, household-based enterprises, especially in developing countries. Beside that he explained the NTFP's role in the economic and commercial context stated that tropical forests provide natural insurance to forest dwellers. With reference to the Brazilian Amazon, they focused on the economic importance of NTFPs in forest livelihoods. Researcher explained that due to the uncertainty of agricultural work in and around forest areas, local poor people rely on the harvesting of NTFPs to manage shortages of agricultural products. Thus, not only the poorest interior forest dwellers but also forest fringe people, for whom the harvesting of NTFPs is not the subsistence occupation, place considerable dependence on the collection of NTFPs. explained the role of NTFPs in the economy of forest fringe dwellers of South-West Bengal noted that rural households spend income realized from NTFPs to buy food to maintain their families. Hegde (1996) [5] examined that Jenu kurubas derived more employment and income from commercial Non-Wood Forest products than the Soligas and Betta kurubas communities reported that, almost six months in a year, the forest dwellers in Western Ghats zone of Maharashtra were unemployed shows that the tribal living in the high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh was leading a very tough and hard life reported that production of NTFPs fluctuated also between Years documented detailed information on about 85 plants investigated medicinal plants having ethno botanical uses.

Noteworthy Contribution in the Field: Beside that several scholar focuses on various aspects of non-timber forest products and sustainable livelihood of tribal's and rural people.

Data and Methodology

The qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to collect data and its analysis. The techniques for the analysis of data, ethical issues and problems faced during the field survey are also examined. For the research, the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and information, both primary and secondary sources gave equal priority. Primary and secondary data, analyzed qualitative as well as quantitative methodologies have been used concurrently. The primary data were collected through the purposefully designed questionnaire from the households, local middleman and traders in intensive field visit in the study area.

Selection of the Sample Villages

All the two Tahsils namely Akkalkuwa and Dhadgaon of Western Satpura mountain ranges in Nandurbar district were included in the study. In Western Satpura Mountain area, out of 94 villages in Akkalkuwa Tahsil researcher selected 13 villages as sample villages. In Dhadgaon Tehsil out of 162 villages researcher selected 09 villages as a sample village. About 8.60 percent villages are selected as sample villages to fulfil the objectives. Besides that, it is also helpful to detail study of NTFPs availability production and NTFPs collectors' livelihood.

Selection of the Respondents

Those forest villages with the highest numbers of households dependent on NTFPs were given priority for selection in the survey. Considering the diverse nature and size of the study region and gauging the limitations, out of 5215, households of the Satpura Mountain region in Akkalkuwa and Dhadgaon Tehsil 560 households were randomly selected, as sample household engaged in NTFPs activities, (About 10.74 percent of total households) representing 13 villages from Akkalkuwa and 09 villages from Akrani Tahsil.

Study area

The present study is confined Western Satpura in Nandurbar district extends between 21 0 0 ' North to 22 0 03' north latitudes and 73 0 33 ' east to 74 0 32 ' east Longitudes. Nandurbar district lies in the northwestern part of Maharashtra. Nandurbar district with the geographical area of 5034.23 Sq.km. has an amorphous shape. As per census, 2011 total population of sample villages are 30147 about 97.73 percent. Population belonging from tribal included Bhil, Pawra and Dhanka Tadi tribes was selected based on forest dependence live within forest area. In the study region, a major forest cover is a concentrate in Satpura mountain ranges like Toranmal Plateau, Astamba Hill, Baba Siraj Donger, Debramal, Patri Donger, Noktyadev, Nandwan Donder, Boksa Donger, Dahel, Walamba etc. Forest area of the region comes under dry deciduous type. In past, the forest was comparatively dense and flourished in two storeys. However, researchers present field observation show that the area is affected by deforestation activities. These forests are the most important forests yielding commercial timbers and Non-Timber Forest products of high value.

Akkalkuwa Tahsil has the highest forest cover in proportion to their geographical area at 45.10 percent (39167 hectares), followed by Akrani Tahsil at 32.85 percent (25392 hectares). Among the Tahsils, Taloda 15.03 percent, Nawapur 11.79%, Nandurbar 10.53 percent and has lowest forest cover in Shahada Tahsil (6.48%) On the basis of field survey researcher identified 68 plants and 2 insect species that were used to fulfil the varied needs of local forest dwellers. Out of them, 14 plant species collect their bark, 30 for leaves, 10 fruits, 5 flowers, 18 roots, and 8 tubers etc. Community perception on us of NTFPs reveals that 14 species consumed, 65 species used for medicinal purpose. It was interesting to note that forest dwellers residents sell as many as 15 species in the local market to earn cash income. Out of them, 09 NTFP plant species was very important for domestic, traditional medicinal and commercial purposes and it is shown in table No.2. All households collect NTFPs for subsistence while involved in commercial collection and processes of plant species, viz. unripe wild mango, Mahua flowers and seeds, Chironji, Hirada, Jamun, Olame, Rosha Grass, Tendu Leaves and Tadi. Based on the availability of the product in a year, their market value and demand, amount of collection and its processes, usability, commercial and domestic importance, the most important NTFPs have been ranked separately use. Table No. 3 clearly shows that the participatory involvement of tribal household members in the collection and processing of Non-Timber forest products (NTFPs). The researcher finds out there was the differential in participatory involvement among males, females and children with 34.10, 40.00 and 25.90 percent respectively participated in the collection and processes of different NTFPs. Table no 3. Reveals that Women play the dominant role in the collection, processing and sale of Non-Timber Forest Produce. From the perspective of its being an occupation predominantly practiced by women NTFPs acquire even greater significance. Development of the NTFP sector not only has a more direct impact in terms of enhancing the income of women but most often puts that income right into their hands. An understanding of the role of women in the NTFP economy and the importance of NTFP based income for tribal women is essential for undertaking a programme to allocate funds for the development of various economic activities in the tribal areas. While men excel in work that requires greater physical strength, women excel in work that requires greater skill or requires greater stamina. Making Amchoor participation involvements share was equal of males and females, due to dried Amchoor demand and rate was higher in all other NTFPs. Involvement of female members was higher than (more than 50 percent) the male and children members for the collection of NTFPs like Mahua flowers, Mahua seeds, Chironji, Jamun and Olame. And the contribution of males was higher in the collection of Hirada, Tendu leaves, harvesting tadi and Rosha grass. NTFPs involving tedious long working hours have greater participation from woman and children. NTFPs such as collection of Mahua flowers, Mahua seeds, Jamun, Olame, Chironji nut and even production of Amchoor from unripe mangoes need to be collected over long hours to be profitable. A typical day for a Mahua flowers starts at around five o' clock in the morning and ends around 11 th o' clock without breakfast. It is also found that all such NTFPs, like the collection of Jamun, Olame and sometimes Tendu leaves, which require the walk long distance, have the greater participation of woman. NTFPs that require climbing trees usually have a greater participation of men and children (Someone less than 14 years in age (Approx.) like unripe mangoes, Mahua seeds (Talambi), Tadi etc. were found to be collected more by men than by the women. Those women have a lower participation, however, does not probably imply due to lack of climbing skills. Most young girls in tribal and rural areas know how to climb trees almost as well as boys of their age do. The lower participation probably comes from social disapproval of women climbing trees. Collection of NTFPs like talambi, mango and hirada usually involve a husbandwife team with the man climbing the tree and shaking the branches to make the fruits fall while the woman does gathering it.

Conclusion

The researcher has been examined of places, where found the collection of major NTFPs in the study area the collectors was in more than 50 percent of the total collection in forest area and followed by surrounding area in own land's NTFPs tree species depends on the availability of NTFPs species. Unripe mangoes, Mahua flowers and Mahua seeds are very important NTPFs in the study region, about one-third collection of unripe mangoes, Mahua flowers and Mahua seeds are collections in their own land and surrounding areas. NTFPs like Hirada, Jamun, Oalame, Tendu leaves and Rosha Grass was collected in the forest and surrounding areas. The researcher has found some NTFPs were self-consumed and domestic used for the collectors. The most important NTFPs for domestic use is Tendu leaves, of which 100 percent is self-used by collectors household. In the study area local tribal's collection Tendu leaves are very small scales. There are only used domestic purposes, like households purpose of Bidi making. NTFPs like Olame, Jamun, and wild mango, are self-consumed by households. Other items that are collected mainly for domestic use includes Mahua flower, Rosha grass and tendu leaves. Satpura Mountain is rich in NTFPs, which plays an important role in increasing tribal income. NTFP enterprises are a potential way to contribute to poverty alleviation.

Figures and tables from the paper

Rank	Name of NTFPs Plants Species	—	Parts of plant collected as NTFPs	Uses Commercial/ Domestic / medicinal
	Local Name	Scientific Name (Botanical Name)
1	Unripe Wild Mango/ Ambe.	Mangifera indica	Amchoor, seed & peel.	M/D/C
2	Mahua (Move)	Madhuca indica	Flowers/Seeds Dole/Talombi.	M/D/C
3	Chironji	Buchanania lamzan	Nut /Charoli	M/D/C
4	Hirada	Terminalia chebula	Seeds	M/D/C
5	Palm/Tal Tree	Arecaceae	Fruit and Tadi	M/D/C
6	Jamun/Hore	Syzygium cumini (Eugenia jambolona)	Fruits	M/D/C
7	Tendu/ Timru	Diospyros melanoxylen	Leafs	M/D/C
8	Olame	Meyna laxiflora	Fruits	M/D/C
9	Rosha Grass/Palmarosa	Cymbopogon martini	Grass	M/C

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Nandurbar District: different types of NTFPs availability and uses in sample villages.

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Sr. No	Sample Villages	Wild Mango	Mahua (F/S)	Chironji Nut	Hirada	Palm (Tad) tree	Jamun	Tendu	Olame	Rosha Grass
1	Astamba	√	√	√	-	-	√	√	√	√
2	Bagda	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
3	Bardi	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
4	Barisurgas	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	√	√
5	Chinchkathi	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
6	Dab	√	-	-	√	-	√	√	√	√
7	Dahel	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	√	√
8	Jalola	√	√	√	-	√	-	√	-	-
9	Jangthi	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	√
10	Kakadpati	√	√	√	-	-	-	√	-	-
11	Katri Forest	√	√	√	-	√	√	√	-	-
12	Kewdi	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	√
13	Khodkya	√	√	√	-	√	-	√	-	-
14	Kuwa	√	√	-	-	-	√	√	√	-
15	Makadkund	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
16	Mankhedi Kh.	√	√	√	-	-	-	√	-	-
17	Mokh Kh.	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
18	Nandwane BK	√	√	-	-	-	√	√	√	√
19	Polaskhobra	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
20	Sari	√	√	-	-	-	√	√	√	√
21	Veri	√	√	-	-	-	-	√	-	-
22	Wadibar	√	√	-	-	-	√	√	√	-
	Total	22	21	06	01	03	07	22	07	08

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Nandurbar District: Collection of NTFPs available in Sample Villages.

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Sr. No.	Name of NTFPs	Gender of NTFPs Collectors (Percentage)	—	—
		Male	Female	Children
1	Amchoor	35.06	34.82	30.12
2	Mahua Flowers	37.83	44.01	18.16
3	Mahua Seeds	20.07	41.6	38.33
4	Chironji Nut	32.93	47.27	19.8
5	Hirada	42.52	30.84	26.64
6	Jamun	20.83	66.67	12.5
7	Olame	5.88	64.71	29.41
8	Tendu	45.8	38.42	15.78
9	Tadi	57.69	0.00	42.31
10	Rosha Grass	42.35	22.6	35.05
Average		34.10	40.00	25.90

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Nandurbar District: Gender wise Contribution of collection and processing of NTFPs.

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