NTFP have been identified as important to rural livelihoods, as an alternative land-use option as well as in fulfilling an important safety-net function although empirical evidence on the latter’s strength is limited. With drastic reduction in the income from minor forest produce, unemployed local people are indulging in illicit felling of trees to sustain their livelihood. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are emerging globally as a tool for the establishment of sustainable forest communities.
They provide employment to various sectors of society, draw on local expertise and culture, and increase the outputs of forests. Therefore, promotion of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) species, through productivity improvement and value addition is necessary to reverse this trend and to sustain the livelihood of the rural families, who have been dependent on NTFP since ages. “To secure their livelihoods, people adopt multiple livelihood strategies, including using non-timber forest products (NTFPs)”.
Collective for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) is an organization established for addressing tribal livelihood issues in Central India. CInI is focusing on six thematic areas for livelihood promotion of tribal communities, among that NTFP is also one of them. Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) is being focused under CInI, as it contributes nearly 30% of livelihood support to the tribal communities in central India. CInI through the one year effort on understanding the various aspects of NTFP based livelihoods is now planning to initiate action through a pilot project in Mandla and Chhindwara districts, Madhya Pradesh. The pilot aims to develop viable business models on specific NTFP commodities, for addressing livelihood issues of forest dependent tribal communities. The focus would be strengthening the village institutions in business operations and also enhance the marketing skills and outreach of the various commodities.
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