47 Forest Products Identified as Lifeline for Tribal Livelihoods in Nagaland, Meghalaya

A Nagaland University study has identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya, that support tribal livelihoods, local economies and biodiversity conservation. The study calls for sustainable utilisation and management of  NTFPs through ecological assessments and structured harvesting guidelines to ensure these valuable forest resources remain available for future generations. 

The findings show that forest-dependent tribal communities rely on these resources for household consumption as food, beverages, medicines and other value-added products, while surplus produce is sold in local markets, making NTFPs an important source of livelihood and supplementary household income.

The researchers also documented the plant parts that were commonly used, their seasonal availability, the frequency of collection, the average time spent on collection trips and the distance travelled by villagers. Bamboo shoot was the highest return earning NTFPs in Meghalaya while wild black pepper was the most common and highest return earning NTFPs in Nagaland.

North East India is home to more than 33% of India's total flora and supports over 100 indigenous communities that rely on forest products for sustenance and income. Non-Timber Forest Products play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, yet their economic value remains inadequately recognised. Although India is home to about 3,000 NTFP species, only 126 have developed marketability, highlighting the need for their scientific identification and economic valuation.

Researchers also highlight the potential of NTFPs to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for marginalised communities in remote forest areas, providing an additional source of income beyond traditional agriculture.

Conducted across 20 villages covering 250 households, the study identified 47 plant- and animal-based NTFPs and assessed their collection, utilisation and economic value. 

The findings were published in Indian Journal of Ecology (https://indianjournals.com/article/ije1-52-2-005?utm), a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research on ecology, environmental science, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and ecosystem sustainability.

The Paper was co-authored by Mr. LimasunepOzukum, Prof. Sanjoy Das, Prof. Amod Sharma, Prof. R. Nakhro, Prof. N.K. Patra, Prof. Manoj Dutta and M. Jangyukala from School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.

Highlighting the importance of research on topics of relevance to local communities, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “ Nagaland University continues to contribute meaningful research addressing the socio-economic and ecological priorities of the North Eastern Region. The study findings are a significant step towards recognising the immense potential of our forest resources in strengthening rural livelihoods and ensuring food security. I  hope that their findings will contribute to informed policy decisions and the sustainable utilisation of our rich natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.’’

A key finding of the study was the scientific identification and classification of 47 Non-Timber Forest Products, most of which are used for nourishment followed by therapeutic purposes.

Elaborating on the study, Prof. Sanjoy Das, Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, said, “Despite India’s rich biodiversity, the economic value of many Non-Timber Forest Products remains inadequately recognised. Through this study, we identified commonly available NTFPs in selected areas of Nagaland and Meghalaya, documented their collection and utilisation patterns, and assessed their economic value, highlighting their importance for rural livelihoods and the need for their sustainable utilisation and management.”

The findings highlight that the value of NTFPs extends beyond market returns to include ecological services, subsistence needs and cultural significance, underscoring their importance to tribal communities.