ABSTRACT
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are the biological items obtained from plants and animals in forest ecosystems that are valuable to the populations that live nearby. The study was conducted in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, on a representative sample of 270 households. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the significance of NTFPs for sustainability and livelihood in the area. Focus group discussions, personal observation, and structured and semi-structured household interviews were conducted to collect the primary data. It has been found that the forests in the area have a wide range of NTFPs that meet the daily needs of many people who live in the vicinity of the forests, such as the Gujjars, Bakarwals, and Paharis. The study found that NTFPs serve as a source of fuel, fodder, wild edible vegetables and fruits, and traditional medicine, and, to a lesser extent, as a primary source of income. It has been found that NTFP-derived income in the area was comparatively low as compared to other sources of income. Therefore, policies and initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of the local community should take into account the role that NTFPs play in maintaining their standard of living.
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