Rittika Raj Dewal, Dr. Jyoti Kachroo, Dr. Anil Bhat, Rohit Kumar
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have long been a cornerstone of rural economies, offering sustainable livelihoods to communities that depend on the forests around them. According to Shackleton et al. (2011), NTFPs are biological products derived from wild species by human populations across diverse landscapes, excluding timber. These resources hold immense value, not only for their direct use in local communities but also for their contribution to the global market, as demonstrated by the significant economic footprint of NTFPs in India. In India, NTFPs are a lifeline for nearly one-third of the rural population, with 60% of India’s NTFP production consumed locally and nearly half of the total revenue in the forestry sector generated through NTFP sales.. These products are especially vital for women and small-scale forest-based businesses, which account for 20-30% of the rural labour force and derive up to 50% of their income from these resources.
In the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the significance of NTFPs is particularly profound, with approximately two million people relying heavily on these products, as reported by the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department (2021-22). With a forest cover of 20,230 square kilometers, indigenous groups such as the Gujjars, Bakkarwals, Gaddis, and Chopans benefit from a diverse array of NTFPs including fruits, nuts, mushrooms, medicinal plants, gums, resins and industrial materials like rattan and bamboo. These products not only hold cultural and economic value but also contribute significantly to biodiversity preservation and the sustenance of rural livelihoods. Key NTFPs in India, including bamboo and tendu leaves, play a critical role in both domestic industries and international trade. According to a report by the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), tendu leaves alone have a market value of approximately Rs 1,000 crores, with annual production ranging from 3.3 lakh to 4.5 lakh tonnes. This accentuates the importance of NTFPs in the national economy. Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed substantial production and export of NTFPs in recent years. In 2021-22, the region reported a total outturn of 9,838.56 quintals of various NTFPs, including Banafsha, Rasount, Deodar split wood and Chillon Oil, according to the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department (2021-22). Between 2018 and 2023, significant exports included Bunafsha, Rasount, Mushkbala, Harad, Cedar Wood Oil and Deodar Stumps reflecting the region’s rich biodiversity and resource utilization, as noted in the Digest of Statistics (2022-23). Market prices for NTFPs can vary widely, highlighting the unique value of each product. For instance, Gucchi Mushroom commands a premium price of Rs 20,000-30,000 per kg, while Wild Honey is priced between Rs 500-850 per kg.. Other notable NTFPs include Himalayan Cedarwood Oil priced at Rs 550-850 per kg and Chilgoza Dry Fruits Pine Nuts which sell for Rs 720 per kg. These prices underscore the potential for significant income generation through the sustainable management and marketing of NTFPs.
Policy support has been instrumental in promoting the sustainable use of NTFPs. The National Forest Policy of 1988 updated in 2018 emphasized the needs of rural and tribal populations, the conservation of natural heritage and public involvement, particularly of women.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the Forest Policy of 2011 and subsequent regulations, such as the J&K Forest Produce (Transit) Rules 2020 have aimed to facilitate the sustainable collection, processing and transportation of NTFPs. The 2022 policy further focused on in-situ conservation and community participation, with specific areas designated for NTFP activities in 2023-24 as noted in reports from the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department (2022-23). However, the effective management and marketing of NTFPs face several challenges. To address these challenges, forestry institutes across India have been actively involved in training farmers and communities in the sustainable management of NTFPs.
The success stories emerging from these initiatives are truly inspiring. For instance, Abdul Rashid from Kishtwar who now earns Rs 50,000 monthly from harvesting Gucchi mushrooms and Rubeena Bashir who successfully transformed a 300-kanal patch into a thriving lavender farm exemplify the transformative power of NTFPs.
These examples, as documented in various local reports and collected by the authors by personal interview underscore the immense potential of local resources and traditional knowledge in fostering sustainable livelihoods and catalyzing community development. In conclusion, the sustainable management of Non-Timber Forest Products offers significant opportunities for enhancing local livelihoods, conserving biodiversity and tapping into the global market for natural products. Establishing proper markets and channels is crucial for making niche NTFPs particularly those with medicinal properties accessible to a broader audience. By focusing on the commercial potential of underutilized NTFPs, startups and local enterprises can unlock new avenues for economic growth and sustainable development in regions like Jammu & Kashmir.