NTFPs and its Management in Developing Countries

The availability of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for the rural people declined substantially. Nevertheless, it plays a crucial role in the life and economy of rural population. Over 50 per cent of forest revenues and 70 per cent forest export income come from NFTPs in India and this provides the major source of employment. But incomplete property rights further facilitates its fast depletion. The book encapsulates various issues of NTFPs in developing countries with a special focus on management of India's NTFPs and role of Non-Market Institutions (NMIs). These issues are tested with household level National Sample Survey data by applying econometric analysis. The results suggest that household participation in NTFPs is influenced by state geographic and policy differences, literacy, fuelwood scarcity, caste and occupational groups, and peer group effects. Community forestry, local participation is necessary for the protection as forest department alone proved to be inefficient. This book is targeted to researchers, academicians, and policy makers. It's useful as a text book for the post graduate and doctoral students in the stream of economics, environmental sciences etc.