Opinions and problems regarding various aspects of non-timber forest products (NTFP): A study on NTFP collectors of Shivalik range of Jammu region Bagal Yudhishther Singh1, Anand Meenakshi2, Kumar Nipun3, Haobijam J.W.1,* 1School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India 2Department of Home Science (Human Development), Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India 3School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu, India *Corresponding author: haobijamjameswatt@gmail.com (ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3141-3954)
Online Published on 19 January, 2024. Abstract The present study was carried out in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir State during the year 2017-2019. In this study, three forest ranges namely; Basantgarh, Dudu and Bani ranges were selected purposively because maximum Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) activities were being carried under these ranges. From each forest range 50 NTFP collectors were selected through snowball sampling technique. In this way total sample of 150 collectors were selected as ultimate sampling units. And in comparison to this a matching sample of 150 non-collectors were also selected through random sampling procedure. The data was collected through personal interview with the help of interview schedule. The findings of this study reveal problems faced by the respondents in collection and marketing of NTFPs, lack of markets for NTFPs was the main constraint ranked first by the collectors in the study area followed by no proper weighting of material, harmful wild weeds and attack of wild animals. To overcome the challenges they have faced during collection and marketing of NTFPs, majority of the collectors (90%) suggested that training programme should be organized for skill development and processing units in villages, followed by license for collection (86.67%), proper market channels (83.33%) and the government should set the selling prices for various NTFPs (70%). Highlights • All collectors cited the readily available NTFPs as the primary reason for their activity, followed by the need for food, the need for a source of income, and the activity’s profitability. • Most people who didn’t participate in the NTFP collection reported the following as the main reasons why they didn’t. • Collectors have reported multiple barriers or constraints that make NTFP collection more difficult. Top Keywords NTFPs, Collection, Marketing, Problems, Coping mechanisms. Top |