Kohima: Nagaland University researchers identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products in Nagaland and Meghalaya. The study spanned 20 villages and 250 households. It highlights how tribal communities rely on these plants and animals for food, medicine, and cash. These goods supplement traditional farming income. The findings appear in the Indian Journal of Ecology.
Bamboo shoots top the earnings list in Meghalaya. Wild black pepper leads in Nagaland. The team tracked collection frequency, travel distances, and seasonal availability for each item. They also documented how families turn raw harvests into value-added products. It is a vital local economy.
Prof Sanjoy Das of the Department of Agricultural Economics served as a co-author. He noted, "Despite India's rich biodiversity, the economic value of many NTFPs remains inadequately recognised." The study calls for strict harvesting guidelines to keep these resources flowing. Scientists argue that smart management could spark entrepreneurship in remote areas.
India hosts about 3,000 such species, yet markets only 126. The Northeast contains over 33 percent of the nation's total flora. Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of the university, stated that this research helps strengthen rural livelihoods. The report lists Limasunep Ozukum, Amod Sharma, R Nakhro, NK Patra, Manoj Dutta, and M Jangyukala as co-authors from the Medziphema campus.
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