"International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment"

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 Study

1.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.