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Report of National workshop on Protocol Development for Sustainable Governance of NTFP Resources
 
 
 
NTFP and Sustainable Livelihood Model
 
NTFP have been identified as important to rural livelihoods, as an alternative land-use option as well as in fulfilling an important safety-net function although empirical evidence on the latter’s strength is limited. With drastic reduction in the income from minor forest produce, unemployed local people are indulging in illicit felling of trees to sustain their livelihood. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are emerging globally as a tool for the establishment of sustainable forest communities.

They provide employment to various sectors of society, draw on local expertise and culture, and increase the outputs of forests. Therefore, promotion of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) species, through productivity improvement and value addition is necessary to reverse this trend and to sustain the livelihood of the rural families, who have been dependent on NTFP since ages. “To secure their livelihoods, people adopt multiple livelihood strategies, including using non-timber forest products (NTFPs)”.

Collective for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) is an organization established for addressing tribal livelihood issues in Central India. CInI is focusing on six thematic areas for livelihood promotion of tribal communities, among that NTFP is also one of them. Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) is being focused under CInI, as it contributes nearly 30% of livelihood support to the tribal communities in central India. CInI through the one year effort on understanding the various aspects of NTFP based livelihoods is now planning to initiate action through a pilot project in Mandla and Chhindwara districts, Madhya Pradesh. The pilot aims to develop viable business models on specific NTFP commodities, for addressing livelihood issues of forest dependent tribal communities. The focus would be strengthening the village institutions in business operations and also enhance the marketing skills and outreach of the various commodities.
 
The manual is designed to be of use to organizations that are currently supporting community based NTFP commercialization, or are intending to provide support to communities who want to develop Commercialization of NTFPs. Possible users may include:

• Government organizations
• NGOs
• Civil society organizations
• Research groups
• Community based organizations
• Private sector organizations.

Even though the many possible users are existing in commercialization, Communities that are not getting meaningful benefits from the forest resources were found to be indifferent to the conservation practices.

There is a rapidly growing interest in, and demand for non-timber forest products (NTFPs); they provide critical resources across the globe, fulfilling nutritional, medicinal, financial and cultural needs. However, they have been largely overlooked in mainstream conservation and forestry politics. Tapping the Green Market explains the use and importance of certification and eco-labeling for guaranteeing best management practices of non-timber forest products in the field.

Using extensive case studies and global profiles of non-timber forest products, this volume not only furthers our comprehension of certification processes but also broadens our understanding of non-timber forest product management, harvesting and marketing. It will prove invaluable for forest managers, policy makers and conservation organizations as well as for academics in these areas.

Communities are not getting meaningful benefits from the forest resources were found to be indifferent to the conservation practices. Despite several temptations from the government and project rangers they were not interested in community forestry. With the introduction of a community based enterprise in their locality, due to which they got opportunity to sell NTFPs harvested from an adjacent forest, the enterprise oriented community forestry allowed them to Exclude outsiders and manage their group members. It helps producing superior products to command returns. Important thing now days the producers following to satisfy the customers through green branding and providing fair trade price for particular products. Green branding not only for increasing the selling level but also conserve the forest as well as environment concern.

Consider the following points would be good groundings for enterprise development in NTFPs unique Business model to innovative a sustainable livelihood:

1. Organizing producers/harvesters for enterprise-oriented resources management.
2. Developing community-based enterprise and expanding their participation in the value chains.
3. Understanding end market and marketing (Meeting market requirements, Design, Branding)
4. Developing clusters ,networking ,alliance building ,and learning mechanism ,and
5. Facilitating to the access to business development services(BDS)

Medicinal Plants Bio resources NTFP-based medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are an essential part of traditional health care systems. Their gathering and cultivation provide a critical source of income for many rural communities, especially landless poor and marginalized farmers. The main goal of the Forest Medicinal Plants (FMP) is to institute a system of long-term sustainable and equitable use of MAPs. The objective is to improve resource conservation and livelihood security in rural and marginalized communities. The main goal of the Forest Medicinal Plants (FMP) is to institute a system of long-term sustainable and equitable use of MAPs. The objective is to improve resource conservation and livelihood security in rural and marginalized communities.