Status of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, India: Does it Contribute to Sustainable Livelihood?

摘要

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) were long considered as minor forest resources. In recent years, researchers and policy makers have recognized that non-timber forest products (NTFPs) extracted from forests by rural people can make a significant contribution to their livelihoods and to the national economy. The present study is an attempt to assess the potential of NTFPs, dynamics of collection of NTFPs and the role of forest officials regarding NTFPs. This paper highlights the NTFPs potential of BWLS, which is fairly rich with diverse plant types, having 76 species of trees along with 87 species of shrubs, herbs and climbers. Although the plants species are having good market value in terms of NTFPs, their extraction is poor as very few numbers of species are used for commercial purposes. Through this paper, it is hoped to raise awareness about the NTFPs, their importance as forest resource, and to encourage government and forest managers to actively address the economic importance and potential of the resource - as well as the science to manage the resources in a sustainable manner.