• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-37
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• 2015

Non-timber forest products are important component of subsistence and livelihood of tribal communities living in and near forests. This is of particular significance in the state of Arunachal Pradesh having more than 80% of geographical area under forest cover and predominantly inhabited by tribal people. Purpose of this study was to document the status and utilization pattern and to assess the economic value of NTFPs of the state. Present study was carried out in eight districts of Arunachal Pradesh viz., Changlang, East Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Tawang, Tirap, Upper Siang, West Kameng and West Siang covering 34 villages and 350 households. Altogether, 135 plant based and 36 animal based non-timber forest products were recorded. Among plant based NTFPs, 54 species were collected for leaves, 30 for stem and 22 for fruits. Most of the animal based NTFPs (93%) were collected/hunted for food. Average 20~40 kg of NTFPs was collected annually per household. Maximum plant based NTFP collection was recorded from West Siang followed by West Kameng and Tawang. Similarly, highest collection of animal based NTFPs was recorded from West Siang followed by Tirap and Lower Subansiri. NTFP contributed more than 50% of annual income of the people of East Kameng, Tirap, Lower Subansiri and Upper Siang districts. An illiterate and unemployed person with minimum agricultural land was more dependent on forests for his livelihood than a literate jobholder. The study concludes that a large section of people of Arunachal Pradesh are dependent on NTFPs for their livelihood however due to its unscientific harvesting, the availability of NTFPs is receding with time. There is an urgent need to promote cultivation and scientific harvesting of NTFPs in order to conserve the plant and animal diversity of this global biodiversity hotspot and for ensuring livelihood security of the people living in this area.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2016

The present study analyzes the diversity and usage of NTFPs and evaluates their importance in the day to day life of the people of rural Meghalaya. People use 172 NTFPs belonging to 139 plant species mainly for food, medicine and fuelwood and to a lesser extent for construction, handicrafts and ornamental purpose. These 139 plants belonged to 117 genera and 70 families with Rosaceae, Poaceae and Fagaceae families as the dominant NTFP yielding families. Fruits from shrubs and trees are most commonly harvested by people. Collection and availability of NTFPs for use as food are more during the summer season, which is also the period with least availability of job. NTFPs for subsistence use are greater in number than those having commercial value. The most commonly harvested plant parts are fruits and leaves. Roots, rhizomes and whole plants are extracted in lesser quantity which is a positive approach from sustainability point of view. NTFPs and other forest products also form a vital part of the rural household's income generation activities.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2009

About 83% of the total population of Lao PDR lives in rural areas. People living near forest are highly dependent on the forest resources closed to their villages. Especially non-timber forest products (NTFPs) provide a wide range of subsistence needs and are the main source of their cash income. They also make a significant contribution to the country economy. The annual export value of NTFPs is considerably high. 708 edible NTFP species (238 edible plants and 470 animals) have been recorded so far, and about 400 plants have been reported and used as medicinal plants by Lao people. One hundred NTFP species are considered as commercial forest products. The striking trend in NTFP resources is the decline of some commercial species due to increased demand on them for commercialization, and the loss of forest by rapid population growth. To sustainablely manage the NTFPs resources, a number of new management systems are under development and support in progress by the government.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.202-225
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• 2017

Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) has gained a lot of significance over the years as a means of income generation. Forests are playing a vital role in the supply of these products, however, due to their continuous extraction, the population of many species might have depleted. Very little information is known about community structure and population status of NTFPs. No specific studies have been made to find out the occurrence, availability of species and population status in the forests, supplying the resources. The present study has been carried out in community forests of the naturally occurring NTFPs in the temperate forest of the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh. The main aim is to determine community structure, species composition and population status of NTFPs. Three forest stands viz., Nyilii, Dura and Gyachi were selected which are used by the Apatani tribe for extraction of the NTFPs. For evaluation of species composition and community characteristics, the sampling of the vegetation was done using the quadrat method. A total 137 species representing 68 families and 116 genera were recorded. Herbs represent the maximum diversity with 71 species followed by 35 shrub species and 31 tree species. The families Asteraceae and Rosaceaeae exhibited maximum representation followed by Urticaceae. The species under Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Rosaceae and Rutaceae were found to be important NTFP yielding species. Highest species richness was recorded in Nyilii having 124 species, while lowest in Dura with 102 species. Density of tree, shrub and herb ranged between 376 to $456\;individuals\;ha^{-1}$, 2848 to $3696\;individuals\;ha^{-1}$ and 31.44 to $36.64\;individuals\;m^{-2}$, respectively. The total basal area was found to be highest ($51.64m^2\;ha^{-1}$) in Dura followed by Nyilii ($25.32m^2\;ha^{-1}$) and lowest in Gyachi ($22.82m^2\;ha^{-1}$). In all the three study stands the species diversity indices showed the trend, herbs > shrubs > trees while the evenness index showed the trend as shrubs > herbs > trees. The overall species similarity index was highest (82.35%) between Dura and Gyachi. About 80% of the total recorded species showed clumped distribution while, no regular distribution was shown by any species. The three selected stands harbor about 50 important NTFP yielding species which are being used commonly by the Apatani people in their day to day life. Among the three study sites, overall diversity of NTFP was found highest in the Nyilii stand while the density of population was found better in Dura and Gyachi stands. The population of many species was found to be low due to continue harvesting without any sustainable management by the communities. All the selected forest stands have the potentiality to grow the high value NTFP yielding species and if managed properly, they can support the livelihood and economy of the local communities.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.155-166
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• 2023

Consumption and selling of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are important means to meet nutritional requirements and improve the socio-economic conditions of the rural population. The purpose of this study was to document the status and utilization pattern and assess the economic value of NTFPs sold in the markets of the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) of Arunachal Pradesh. Five major markets with 182 vendors were surveyed, and a total of 94 plant-based products under 63 species belonging to 32 families were found to be sold in the markets. Species like Acmella oleracea, Clerodendrum glandulosum, Dioscorea alata, Houttuynia cordata, Phoebe goalparensis, Piper pedicellatum, Zanthoxylum rhetsa, etc. are found to be highly preferred and have a higher demand in the local markets. The edible products of species like Piper pedicellatum and Phoebe goalparensis though highly consumed in the study area, are used only within the region, and the national and international demands of the species are nil. The animal-base products are not included in the study.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2009

An exploratory study was conducted in Juri Forest Range-2, a proposed biodiversity conservation area of Bangladesh to explore the present growing stock of tree, regeneration condition and status of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). This conservation area contains both natural and artificial plantation was selected by using multistage random sampling method. For determination of plot size and sampling methods, the quadrate size ($10m{\times}10m$) for tree stock measurement, ($2m{\times}2m$) for regeneration survey, ($20m{\times}20m$) for NTFPs survey was determined. Regarding tree stock survey, 14 species under eight families were found where Tectona grandis shows average number of stem/ha was 624 and basal area/ha was (10.36 $m^2/ha$) followed by Acacia auriculiformis (0.2 $m^2/ha$ and 637 stem/ha), Gmelina arborea (0.2 $m^2/ha$ and 600 stem/ha). In regeneration survey, 14 species were found belonging to 9 families where Alstonia scholaris shows highest (3,750) seedling per hectare. Regarding NTFPs, bamboo and cane are the most common resources. In last ten years, the total timber output was 1,28,596.14 cubic feet and total amount of revenue was 4,64,434 US$. The vacant area is 1,335.5 acre which contains 14% of total area. If this vacant area is planted with suitable species and take proper steps for appropriate management of this species it will be a good biologically diversified area.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2013

Multiple use forestry is capable of generating income for forest based communities through Non-Timber forest products (NTFPs) which provide food, medicine, materials for domestic use and cash income for communities adjoining forest areas in developing countries. This study evaluates the economics of producing ginger rhizomes under teak canopy in a multiple land use system during 2007 and 2008 in even aged teak plantations in Ibadan and Ife, Nigeria. Twelve $6m^2$ sample plots were randomly selected in Completely Randomized Block Design within and outside the plantation. Average ginger rhizome of (50-60 g) were planted on the slightly tilled soil. NPK 15:15:15 was applied at 180 kg/ha on a split unit dose. ANOVA, Profitability, Benefit-Cost (B/C) ratio were used to analyze data. Results showed no significant differences between sites in ginger rhizome yield, (0.089 and 0.718, ${\rho}{\leq}0.05$) in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Average yield were higher outside teak canopy in both sites and treatments, (Ibadan -40.05 g>32.9 g, Ife -67.6 g>25.2 g and Ibadan -41.3 g>31.5 g, Ife -66.8 g>25.0 g) with and without NPK respectively. NPK had no effect on yields within teak plantation, (Ibadan -31.5<32.9 g, Ife -25 g<25.2 g). Ginger rhizome production was viable financially without inorganic fertilizer during second cropping season within and outside plantation (B/C=1.02, 1.09) respectively. Ginger could be raised profitably under teak canopy, however, studies on insolation requirement of ginger under teak canopy and other tree plantations are recommended.