A study by Nagaland University has identified 47 non-timber forest products (NTFPs) across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya, highlighting their contribution to food security, livelihoods, local economies and biodiversity conservation among forest-dependent tribal communities.
Conducted across 20 villages covering 250 households, the study identified plant- and animal-based NTFPs and assessed their collection, utilisation and economic value. Researchers found that communities use these resources for food, beverages, medicines and other value-added products, while surplus produce is sold in local markets, providing supplementary household income.
The study documented the plant parts commonly used, seasonal availability, frequency of collection, time spent on collection trips and distances travelled by villagers. Bamboo shoot emerged as the highest-return NTFP in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was the most common and highest-return NTFP in Nagaland. Most of the identified products were used primarily for nourishment, followed by therapeutic purposes.
Prof Sanjoy Das of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, said the economic value of many NTFPs remains inadequately recognised despite India’s rich biodiversity. “Through this study, we identified commonly available NTFPs in selected areas of Nagaland and Meghalaya, documented their collection and utilisation patterns, and assessed their economic value,” he said, stressing the need for sustainable utilisation and management.
The researchers called for ecological assessments and structured harvesting guidelines to ensure the continued availability of NTFPs. They also highlighted their potential to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for marginalised communities in remote forest areas, providing income beyond traditional agriculture.
Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the study represented an important contribution to understanding the socio-economic and ecological priorities of the Northeast. “The identification of the economic value of 47 Non-Timber Forest Products across Nagaland and Meghalaya is a significant step towards recognizing the immense potential of our forest resources in strengthening rural livelihoods and ensuring food security,” he said.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed 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 of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
The study noted that Northeast India contains more than 33% of India’s flora and is home to over 100 indigenous communities dependent on forest resources. Although India has around 3,000 NTFP species, only 126 have developed marketability. The researchers said NTFPs should therefore be valued not only for market returns, but also for their ecological services, subsistence role and cultural significance.