Non-Timber Forest Produce of Bilaspur Forest Division of Chhattisgarh State of India and their Potential in the Livelihood of Tribal Communities

By : S. J. A. Bhat , Mukhtar A. Itoo , Syed Maqbool Geelani

Page No: 189-194

Abstract
The tribal communities of Bilaspur forest division are dependent on forest resources. A study was conducted in 2009 at Khudia range of Bilaspur forest division to enumerate the forest resources and their utilization for livelihood of tribal’s of the area. The total of 29 wild edible plant species belonging to 21 families were found in the range contributing to life sustaining of tribal communities in the area. The Caesalpiniaceae, Anarcardiaceae and Combretaceae were the dominate plant families contributed (9%) each followed by (6%) of Sapotaceae, Leguminosae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Rutaceae and Stericuliaceae by each family. The Dioscoreaceae contributed only (4%) among the families in the range and (3%) by other remaining families. The study reveals that it is the wild edible fruits which are utilized maximum 24% for sale as well as for domestic consumption followed by root and tuber (20%), leaf and pod (20%), seeds (18%) and flowers (12%). The study concluded that the biodiversity of non-timber forest produce are collected unscientifically and leads to the destruction of these valuable NTFPs in the area. For further exploitation, the produce should be harvested in scientific manner and emphasis should be given on the plantation of these commercially important NTFPs that would improve the income-generating source as well as help to conserve the existing biodiversity of the region.

Authors :
S. J. A. Bhat : Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Camp Benihama, Watlar, Ganderbal- 191 201 (J&K)-India.
Mukhtar A. Itoo : Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Sciences, Gura Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, (C.G.), India, 495009
Syed Maqbool Geelani : P.G. Department of Environmental Sciences, Govt. S. P. College, Srinagar, 190001