Photo Courtesy: nenow
Shillong: Bamboo shoots in Meghalaya and wild black pepper in Nagaland are doing more than filling dinner plates. A new study from Nagaland University reveals these forest goods are essential to food security and household income for tribal communities. Researchers tracked 47 non-timber forest products across 20 villages and 250 households.
The findings, published in the Indian Journal of Ecology, show locals use these goods for food, medicine, and household needs. They sell the surplus to local markets for cash. Bamboo shoot ranks as the top earner in Meghalaya. Wild black pepper holds the same status in Nagaland, where it is both the most popular harvest and the highest-return commodity.
The Northeast holds over 33 percent of India's total flora. More than 100 indigenous groups rely on these plants. Yet, only about 126 of India’s 3,000 known forest species have a strong market presence. This leaves massive room for growth in local entrepreneurship.
Prof. Sanjoy Das of Nagaland University emphasized the lack of official attention given to these resources. "Despite India’s rich biodiversity, the economic value of many Non-Timber Forest Products remains inadequately recognised," said Das. The team now calls for scientific harvesting rules to prevent over-collection. They warn that growth must not wreck the environment. Future efforts must weigh cultural and ecological gains alongside simple cash value.
Co-authors include Limasunep Ozukum, Amod Sharma, R. Nakhro, N.K. Patra, Manoj Dutta, and M. Jangyukala. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik noted the research proves the massive potential of regional forest resources to bolster rural life.
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