Harmonising Conservation and Livelihood: Sustainable Practices for Non-Timber Forest

In the fringe villages of a Protected Area for wildlife, the livelihood pattern is sometimes an issue of contestation. There is apprehension that Protected Area laws undermined people’s livelihood and traditional access to forests. For a win-win situation to be achieved, wherein both the forest and local people attain ecological and social security, the study has discussed sustainable extraction and value-added practices for commonly collected Non-Timber Forest Produce, such as Madhuca longifolia, Syzygium cumini, and Aegle marmelos. Based on interviews and observation methods in three forest ranges of the Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, a part of the Vidarbha Tiger landscape in Maharashtra, India, the skills and livelihood assets owned by the local community were assessed. The study suggests more frequent capacity-building training and encourages the plantation of commercially valuable natural resources in village common areas and residential backyards. There is enormous scope to guide the community towards an organised marketing system, indigenous technologies, institutional support in training and skill development, and appropriate extension and communication networks, as well as exploring natural resources-based livelihoods without venturing too far into the forest.