Livelihood generation through non-timber forest products by rural poor in and around Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram

Abstract

Rural poor around the forests are traditionally depended on forest resources for their food, shelter and obtain income through collection and marketing of NTFPs. A survey was conducted in six villages around Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram during 2005-2006, and found that NTFPs collection was a major activity for the household especially among small and landless farmers in all the surveyed villages. The NTFPs resources particularly bamboos, rattan and certain medicinal plants formed important source of livelihood for the rural folks living in and around or fringes of protected areas. It was observed that part of the NTFPs collected is exchanged for meeting cash requirements of the household but most importantly a major portion is used for consumption purpose. Since farmers grow crops only once in a year as rain-fed due to non-availability of irrigation facility, the exploit diverse NTFPs for additional income. While these products are sources of alternate employment and income generation, promotion for cultivation of NTFPs should be extensively carried out so as to improve rural economy and facilitate better forest management around the Dampa Tiger Reserve.