Impact of New Forest policies on Collection and Marketing of Minor Forest Produce in Karnataka, with Special reference to LAMPS

Abstract

There has been increasing trends in the trade of forest products particularly Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP). Increasing trade of forest products has supported economic growth of a number of emerging countries. There is strong evidence that forest products play a significant role in the livelihoods of the rural poor. Forest products are the main sources of income for the tribal population of many countries. In India the central government came with legislation named as The scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 popularly known as Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 to recognize the tenure and occupational rights of forest dwellers. The forest rights act was the first act enacted in independent Indian that addressed the question of community ownership of MFP and rights and management/governance of forest at the legislative level. The present study is based on primary and secondary data related to collection and marketing of Minor Forest Produce through LAMPS and dependency of Tribal population on Minor forest Products. The study intended to understand the collection and marketing status of MFP in LAMPS and how new forest policies impact on the collection and marketing of MFP's in LAMP Societies.