Quantitative analysis of NTFPs in Mahilong and Horhap Forest Beats of Ranchi East Forest Division and their sustained management
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Date
2007
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Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Abstract
The forest products of less value as termed non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
provide subsistence and income to the poor tribal peoples residing nearby forest areas
especially during the lean seasons, as these are the source of food, fodder, fruits and
medicines for such dependent populations. Therefore, NTFP covers all forest products other
than Major Forest Products, which consist of timber, small wood and fuel wood. NTFP vary
very considerably in kind as well as in value. They are a source of considerable revenue to
the forest departments.
In this way collection of NTFPs is a source of cash income, especially because of
their increasing commercial importance. Of the total wage employment in forestry sector
NTFPs have accounted for more than 70%, thus providing opportunity for self-employment
to the forest dwellers. Nearly 60% of all recorded forest product revenues in India are
generated by NTFPs, while unofficial estimates indicate the proportion is considerably
higher. Most of Indian’s 50 million tribal people receive a substantial proportion of their cash
and kind income from NTFPs. As the poverty is prevalent in almost all the rural areas of
Jharkhand, various NTFPs provide very useful food components as well as source of income
to the villagers, which have not been quantified earlier in a systematic way.
This research experiment was conducted on two study sites namely Mahilong and
Horhap beats under Mahilong Forest Range covering an area of 24109.93 ha. Eight villages
were selected for collection of data the basis of 15% sampling intensity. In this way three
villages (Jara Toli, Upper Tola and Burhi Bera) from Mahilong Forest Beat and 5 villages
(Unnidih, Lali, Dimba Bura, Rarhu Jara, and Burhi Bera) from Horhap Forest Beat. The data
collected has indicated following-
(i) The population profile has indicated that Berkumba of Mahilong Forest Beat is most
populated villages.
(ii) The ST population was found resided in 7 villages, whereas ST and SC population
were noticed only in three villages (Upper Tola, Berkumba and Unnidih).
(iii) The occupational profile has indicated occurrence of four types of profession
(agricultural labourers, daily wage labourers, service and business in 50 % of the
study villages. However, the agricultural labourers dominated mostly.
(iv) Twenty nine (29) plant species were found exploited for NTFP’s which included 13
tree, 10 shrub and 6 herbaceous species.
(v) The density of Shorea robusta, Clerodendron infortunatum and Phyllanthus urinaria
were found highest,
(vi) Most preferred species are identified as Shorea robusta (Sal), Clerodendron
infortunatum (Croton) and Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh).
(vii) The destructive method of exploitation was found maximum in case of herbaceous
species (83%), while its values were 60% and 54% for shrubs and tree species,
respectively. The destructive methods included uprooting or cutting of branches,
which have more adverse effect on sustained availability of a produce.
Description
Quantitative analysis of NTFPs in Mahilong and Horhap Forest Beats of Ranchi East Forest Division and their sustained management
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