WOMEN’S ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION TO NTFPs BASED LIVELIHOOD OF WESTERN SATPURA IN NANDURBAR DISTRICT

Abstract

Forests constitute a significant element of the natural capital of an economy. The term NTFPs refers to a broad spectrum of biomass related products, food, fiber, fodder, gums and resins, medicinal plants, structural materials and a range of other items of sustenance and economic value. The western Satpura region in Nandurbar district which is rich in natural vegetation and it has a wide range of variety of NTFPs plants. On the basis of field survey was identified 68 plants and 2 insect species that were used to fulfill varied needs of local forest dwellers. It was interesting note that forest dwellers residents sell as many as 15 species in local market to earn cash income. In fact those women’s are important role and contribution of NTFPs related activities, i.e. collection, processing and marketing. NTFPs play a key role in the life and economy of the forest dwellers living in and around the forest.