Importance of Forest Resources in Improving Rural Livelihoods in Jalpaiguri Forest Fringe Area

Forest resources play an important role in rural livelihoods in forest fringe areas. The forest fringe people depend highly on firewood, timber and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). These Non-Timber Forest Products are directly related to the rural economy in forest fringe areas. The forest fringe people frequently collected forest products from the forest, like firewood, timber and Non-Timber Forest Products. The researchers collected data randomly from the forest fringe area of the Lataguri Forest Range. The researcher conducted a semi-structured questionnaire in the selected study area. The researchers conducted the survey and collected data from 60 households in the Lataguri Forest Range under the Jalpaiguri Forest Division. This paper highlighted the importance of forest resources in forest fringe areas. In the study area selected households and collected firewood, honey, leaf, fruits and flowers. The forest fringe people make various forest products for sale and develop their economy, like bamboo and cane chairs and tables. This forest product depends on the rural economy of the forest fringe area.