Study maps economic value of 47 Non-Timber Forest Products in Nagaland and Meghalaya

Medziphema, August 10 (MExN): A comprehensive study by Nagaland University has identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya, underscoring their critical role in supporting tribal livelihoods, local economies, and biodiversity conservation in the Northeast region.

An update from Nagaland University (NU) stated that the research, conducted across 20 villages covering 250 households, assessed the collection, utilisation, and economic value of plant- and animal-based NTFPs. Findings revealed that forest-dependent tribal communities rely on these resources for household consumption as food, beverages, medicines, and value-added products, while surplus produce is sold in local markets, making NTFPs a vital source of supplementary income beyond traditional agriculture.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed Indian Journal of Ecology, calls for sustainable utilisation and management of NTFPs through ecological assessments and structured harvesting guidelines to ensure the long-term availability of these forest resources. Researchers also highlighted the potential of NTFPs to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for marginalised communities in remote forest areas.

A key finding was the scientific identification and classification of 47 NTFPs, most of which are used for nourishment, followed by therapeutic purposes. Bamboo shoot emerged as the highest return-earning NTFP in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was the most common and highest return-earning NTFP in Nagaland. The researchers documented plant parts commonly used, seasonal availability, collection frequency, average time spent on collection trips, and distances travelled by villagers.

Prof Sanjoy Das, Department of Agricultural Economics, NU and one of the co-authors, said, “Despite India’s rich biodiversity, the economic value of many NTFPs 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 paper was co-authored by Limasunep Ozukum, Prof Sanjoy Das, Prof Amod Sharma, Prof R Nakhro, Prof NK Patra, Prof Manoj Dutta, and M Jangyukala from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.

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. Although India is home to about 3,000 NTFP species, only 126 have developed marketability, highlighting the need for scientific identification and economic valuation.

Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of NU, said, “I am delighted that Nagaland University continues to contribute meaningful research addressing the socio-economic and ecological priorities of the North Eastern Region. The identification of the economic value of 47 NTFPs across Nagaland and Meghalaya is a significant step towards recognising the immense potential of our forest resources in strengthening rural livelihoods and ensuring food security.”

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