Author – Ritesh Ranjan: – Research across Nagaland and Meghalaya highlights the economic, cultural and ecological value of NTFPs
A new study by Nagaland University has identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) used by tribal communities across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya. The research highlights how forest-based products support household food security, traditional healthcare, local markets and supplementary income while also contributing to biodiversity conservation.
The study covered 20 villages and 250 households, documenting the collection, seasonal availability, utilisation and economic value of plant- and animal-based NTFPs. The findings show that forest-dependent communities rely on these resources for food, beverages, medicines, household materials and value-added products. Surplus produce is sold in local markets, helping families earn additional income beyond traditional agriculture.
Forest products and rural income
Most of the identified NTFPs were used for nourishment, followed by therapeutic purposes. Other applications included fuel, housing materials, food supplements and decorative products. The study found that bamboo shoots generated the highest annual returns in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was the most common and highest-returning NTFP in Nagaland.
These findings show that NTFPs are not simply products gathered from forests. They are closely connected with local traditions, seasonal food systems and the economic security of tribal households. For communities living in remote areas with limited access to formal employment, forest products can provide both immediate consumption benefits and opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurship.
Potential business activities include processing, packaging and marketing products such as bamboo shoots, medicinal plants, wild fruits, spices, mushrooms and other forest-based goods. With suitable training, storage facilities and market access, these products could create new income opportunities for women, youth and other marginalised groups.
Need for sustainable harvesting
The researchers have called for better management of NTFPs through ecological assessments, scientific identification and structured harvesting guidelines. Without proper monitoring, excessive collection can reduce the availability of valuable species and damage the forest ecosystems on which communities depend.
The study documented the plant parts collected, seasonal availability, frequency of collection, time spent during collection trips and distances travelled by villagers. Such information can help authorities and local institutions design harvesting rules that protect regeneration while allowing communities to continue using forest resources.
Sustainable utilisation may include seasonal collection limits, community monitoring, domestication of commercially valuable species, improved processing and local value addition. These measures can help protect biodiversity while increasing the financial returns received by producers.
Importance for policy and conservation
North-East India contains more than 33% of India’s total flora and is home to more than 100 indigenous communities that depend on forest resources for food, medicine and income. Although India has around 3,000 NTFP species, only a small proportion has developed marketability, demonstrating the need for greater research and economic valuation.
The study was published in the Indian Journal of Ecology, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on ecology, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and ecosystem sustainability. The research team included scientists from Nagaland University and other collaborating institutions.
Congratulating the team, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the research could support informed policy decisions, food security and sustainable resource use in the North-Eastern region.
By documenting the economic value of 47 NTFPs, the study provides a strong foundation for community-based forest management. It also shows that conservation and livelihood development do not have to be opposing goals. With responsible harvesting and better market support, Northeast India’s forest resources can continue to benefit both people and nature.
Conclusion
The Nagaland University study highlights the important role that Non-Timber Forest Products play in sustaining tribal livelihoods across Nagaland and Meghalaya. By documenting 47 NTFPs and their economic, nutritional, medicinal and cultural uses, the research demonstrates how forest resources contribute directly to household food security and supplementary income.
At the same time, the findings underline the need for sustainable harvesting, scientific management and stronger market linkages. Community-based monitoring, local processing, value addition and cultivation of commercially important species could help increase incomes while reducing pressure on natural forests. With appropriate policy support and responsible resource management, NTFPs can become an important bridge between biodiversity conservation and livelihood development in Northeast India.
FAQs
1. What are Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)?
Non-Timber Forest Products are biological resources collected from forests without harvesting timber. They include products such as bamboo shoots, medicinal plants, wild fruits, spices, mushrooms, fibres and other plant- or animal-based resources used for food, medicine, household needs and income generation.
2. How many forest products were identified in the Nagaland University study?
The study identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products used by tribal communities across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya.
3. How do NTFPs support tribal livelihoods in Northeast India?
NTFPs provide food, traditional medicines, household materials and supplementary income. Surplus forest products can also be sold in local markets or processed into value-added products, creating additional livelihood opportunities.
4. Which NTFPs generated the highest economic returns?
According to the study, bamboo shoots generated the highest annual returns in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was among the most commonly collected and highest-returning NTFPs in Nagaland.
5. Why is sustainable harvesting of NTFPs important?
Unsustainable or excessive collection can reduce the availability of valuable forest species and affect biodiversity. Sustainable harvesting practices, seasonal collection rules, community monitoring, domestication and scientific management can protect forest resources while supporting local livelihoods.