Century-old teak plantation business loses ground in India because of poor management and short-sighted policies.

It is important to understand the strong linkage that exists between food security, forest and resource conservation. Studies conducted over a decade in India clearly point to the fact that a majority of people in this country survive within a biomass based subsistence economy.

Non timber forest products (NTFPs) play a vital role in sustaining rural communities, particularly those living adjacent to forest areas. In India, it is estimated that over 50 million people are dependent on NTFPs for their subsistence and derive their earnings from these products after consuming about 60% of NTFPs.

The study to examine the growth and instability in production and export of Indian lac is based on secondary data collected for 38 years spanning from 1970-71 to 2007-08. The data were analyzed by using exponential function and instability index.

The Traditional Bamboo Dependent (TBDs) community produce traditional bamboo products for their subsistence as well as for meeting the local seasonal demand. Bamboo based production activities of TBDs involve four stages, viz., collection of raw materials, processing, production and marketing.

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) generate sizeable magnitudes of income and employment in different parts of the world for the tribal and poor people. The evidence is based on the review of past studies across different continents. The study presents a collective evidence for the role of NTFPs in development in low and underdeveloped sectors of the world.

Forest people across India are being denied their legitimate right to collect and trade in minor forest produce. Down To Earth correspondents travelled to Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, MP, AP, Maharashtra & Orrisa to unravel the conspiracy.

A study was conducted by Mayurbhanj Swechhasevi Samukhya (MASS) in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa with the objective to assess the contribution and role of NTFPs and the pattern of NTFP trade in tribal livelihoods.