Importance of Non-Timber Forest Products in tribal Economy of Manipur A Study of 15 villages of Thadou-Kuki tribe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2022/v148i12/165726Keywords:
Department of Economics, Manipur University, Imphal-795003, ManipurAbstract
The study examines the forms of forest management and the importance of NTFPs among the Thadou-Kuki tribes of Manipur. A village-level household census survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted in fifteen villages of Thadou-Kuki tribes scattered in three districts – Senapati, Churachandpur, and Chandel of Manipur where this tribe settles in large numbers. The study finds that the traditional form of forest protection among the Thadou-Kuki tribes is losing its steam in the face of population pressure and limited livelihood opportunities. The study finds that among the NTFPs, firewood is the main NTFP extracted in terms of livelihood and income, while other edible NTFPs like medicinal plants, vegetables, ferns, mushrooms, fruits, etc. are gathered solely for self-consumption. Overexploitation of forest for firewood by the villages is hurting the growth of other important NTFPs which has a high market value. With limited income from grain-based agriculture and negligible cash income from forest resources, some villages are resorting to illegal poppy cultivation which has high returns. The study also observes the emergence of new forms of forest land management which serve the immediate needs of chiefs and villagers without considering its sustainability.References
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