LIVELIHOOD DEPENDENCY OF RURAL PEOPLE UTILIZING NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT (NTFPs) IN A MOIST DECIDUOUS FOREST ZONE, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

A study was undertaken to assess the diversity of non-timber forest products (NTFPS) and its resource potential in selected sites of Kanksa Forest Division of Burdwan District, West Bengal. Information about NTFPs are being collected at fourteen villages of the concerned study sites. The diversity however varies with availability and local knowledge. 23 major categories of nontimber forest products were recorded during our survey work at the present investigation which includes different forms of Dyes, grass, oil, wax, honey, gum, resin, food items (leaf, fruit, seed, herb, stem), bamboo, broom, basket, cotton, brush, paper, ornamental, worship, marriage rituals, leaves (Sal, Kendu, Datepalm),Sap and Flour. The present investigation revealed that although there is high resource potential in the study sites but lack of awareness, scientific knowledge, expertise and inadequate market information, income through commercialization of such species were found to be very low. The forest dwellers are progressively dependent on NTFPs for sustaining their daily livelihood instead of utilizing it as a prospective income source and for their socio-economic development.