4.5     Study on management, harvesting, processing and marketing (in association with other Departments) of the NTFP components (bamboo, cane, mixed and perennial herbs and shrubs plantations) of the FDA projects in the north-eastern states

The study was undertaken by the Regional Centre, NAEB, NEHU, Shillong with an aim to inventories the NTFPs (bamboo, canes, mixed and perennial herbs and shrubs) available in the study areas and to document the management, harvesting, processing and marketing systems.

The main objectives of the present study includes: 1) inventorisation of the NTFPs, 2) to document the management and harvesting practices, 3) to quantify and document the processing and marketing systems of the NTFP components, 4) to analyse the major causes and constraints encountered during management, harvesting, processing and marketing of the NTFPs and 5) to develop strategies for sustainable management of NTFPs and conservation of biodiversity.

Two study sites were selected. 1) Lailad and Taskurim village located in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The presence of bamboo as one of the main NTFPs is the basis of the selection criteria.

Data collection was carried out through pre-structured questionnaires with special emphasis on the forest produce. Some of the important primary data collection included interviews and visits to villages, collection centres, manufacturing and marketing centres, village demography at household level, area of household land, land tenure, area of land, methods of management, harvesting, processing and marketing, incomes generated from NTFPs, etc.

The result shows that the major NTFPs are bamboo (Dendrocalamus sp. and Schizostachyum sp.), broomstick and banana other than the fruit trees and wild vegetables. The management of the forest land in these villages is generally simple in nature whereby people used to burn the forests once in a year during winter season. There is no management system of the natural stands of bamboos forest lands. However, for broomstick and banana weeding is done once in a year during summer season. Bamboo round poles is harvested and sold directly to the wholesaler every year during autumn and winter seasons for paper manufacture. These bamboos are also used by the villagers for local house construction, fencing, water pipes, household utensils, etc. Adult males are the principal bamboo collectors. The harvesting and processing of the bamboo poles depends upon the seasonal demand. The only means of transport to carry these forest produce are trucks and buses.

Only a small range of products (such as baskets, trays, mats, animal cage) are made from bamboos in these villages. The handicrafts produced from bamboos are sold only to meet household and domestic market demand; therefore, there is no export of these bamboo products outside the state.

The domestic market begins at the nearest area of the village market and the nearest town market at Nongpoh. These forest produce are either sold directly to the nearest market or to the wholesaler who then sells it in the main market depending upon the quantity of the NTFPs produced.

The review of the present study from management to marketing systems has revealed a number of problems such as difficult accessibility of bamboo resources, lack of management and processing skills, limited markets, lack of government support, lack of infrastructure including roads and vehicles from collection sites. Therefore there is a need for effective management to marketing systems at the local level for sustainable management of NTFPs and conservation of biodiversity.

4.6     Study on involvement of traditional governance institutions in Nagaland in Joint Forest Management Committee under FDA projects

The objective of the study is to assess the involvement of traditional governance institutions in Nagaland in Joint Forest Management Committee under FDA projects. The study covers the whole state and documents the nature of involvement of VCs and VDBs in JFM programme on a case study basis.  

4.7     Study on creation and management of Village Development Fund (VDF) under NAP Scheme/JFM Programme in Tripura State