Abstract

Forest benefits one and all by its intangible services and goods. Timber and non-timber forest produce are the main product of forest. Timber produce is well managed and documented by forest department. Non timber forest products (NTFPs) are mainly dependent on tribals for collection and sales. Nationalized NTFP’s are well regulated by the government, providing better return to NTFP’s collectors, but non-nationalized NTFP’s fetch lesser return and volatility of income is high as their number forms major part of the collection.  Lack of documentation or database and non-integration of information about produce led them to slip in the hands of middlemen who purchase at much lesser price. NTFP’s as a Non-timber forest produce play an important role in sustainable livelihood and poverty alleviation of tribal’s.  These make up to 80% contribution to the income of forest dependent tribal’s. This paper discusses the framework for an integrated database for nationalized and non-nationalized NTFP’s which could help in pricing, conservation, forecasting and commercialization. Further this could lead to socio-economic development and women empowerment of forest dependant tribal’s.

Key Word:  Non timber forest products (NTFP), Poverty alleviation, sustainable livelihood, Commercialization..