Development of NTFPs Sector for Income Generation and Environmental Conservation

Abstract

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are amongst the key global commodi-ties and an important component of international trade. They are importantin livelihoods of rural people all over the Himalayan region for meetingfood, medicine, construction materials, and income needs of subsistencecommunities. The sector needs focused developmental planning that canbring substantial economic and environmental benefit in the Uttarakhandstate. Based on an extensive analysis of three important categories of NTFPs,viz. medicinal plants, edible wild plants, and bamboo this paper highlightspotential of this sector for food security, income generation and environ-mental conservation by adopting a pro-people approach in Uttarakhand state.Suggestions have been provided for improving the existing framework andprogrammes that can maximize economic, social, cultural and ecologicalbenefits.