DIMAPUR: A Nagaland University study has identified 47 Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya, highlighting their crucial role in supporting tribal livelihoods, local economies and biodiversity conservation.
A DIPR report informed that the study was conducted across 20 villages covering 250 households, the study documented plant and animal based NTFPs, assessing their collection, utilisation and economic value. Findings revealed that forest dependent tribal communities rely on these resources for food, beverages, medicines and other value added products, while surplus produce is sold in local markets, making NTFPs a vital source of supplementary income.
The study calls for sustainable utilisation and management of NTFPs through ecological assessments and structured harvesting guidelines to ensure availability for future generations. Researchers also emphasised the potential of NTFPs to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for marginalised communities in remote forest areas.
Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, vice chancellor, Nagaland University, said the identification of the economic value of 47 NTFPs is a significant step towards recognising the immense potential of forest resources in strengthening rural livelihoods and ensuring food security. He congratulated the research team and expressed hope that the findings would contribute to policy decisions and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
Prof. Sanjoy Das, Department of Agricultural Economics, elaborated that despite India’s rich biodiversity, the economic value of many NTFPs remains inadequately recognised. He noted that the study scientifically identified and classified forest products, most of which are used for nourishment followed by therapeutic purposes.
Researchers documented plant parts commonly used, seasonal availability, frequency of collection, time spent on trips and distances travelled. Bamboo shoot was found to be the highest return earning NTFP in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was the most common and profitable NTFP in Nagaland.
North East India, home to more than 33% of India’s flora and over 100 indigenous communities, relies heavily on forest products. Although India has about 3,000 NTFP species, only 126 have developed marketability, underscoring the need for scientific identification and valuation.
The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Ecology. The paper was co authored by Limasunep Ozukum, Prof. Sanjoy Das, Prof. Amod Sharma, Prof. R. Nakhro, Prof. N.K. Patra, Prof. Manoj Dutta and M. Jangyukala from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
Friday, September 4, 2026