Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) Use and its Contribution in Local Livelihood Improvement of Manang District

Abstract

The study focuses on impact of NTFPs on local livelihood taking a case study of two VDCs of Manang district. The main research questions were what is the contribution achieved by NTFP trading, involvement and varied kinds of NTFP species. To getans wers of these questions, key informants' interview, survey, group discussion,formal and informal interviews and observations were adopted as main research tools. Using these tools, it was deduced that NTFPs were being managed by local community with the technical support of related organizations such as; CAMCs(Conservation Area Management Committees), CFUGCs (Community Forest User Groups), DFO (District Forest Office) and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project). Mainly traded species (Yarsa Gumba, Ban Lasun and Satuwa) were being harvested and collected every year from the month Baisakh to Bhadra which were grown naturally in the forest areas. The season of Yarsa Gumba harvesting starts on Baisakh and ends till Ashadh according to the site quality and aspect. Similarly, Ban Lasun and Satuwa also cultivated from Ashadh to Bhadra. All of the traded NTFPs were used to be exported till Ashoj from the district. All three NTFP species used to harvest and export out of District in the mean of use but other edible and non edible species were used locally by the community. From the group discussion, the history of community and utilization of NTFPs were traced. It was found that one collector used to earn 20,000 to 50,000 Nrs. annually where traders can double that amount by Ban Lasun and Satuwa. In the case of Yarsa Gumba, a collector used to earn minimum 40,000 Nrs to 100,000 Nrs but few of them may be 200,000 Nrs. But from the response of local people, it was estimated that the amount of NTFPs available is in the decreasing trend which might be the cause of poor and non-technical management, Even though the market demand is in the increasing trend. So that the local community started technical management to secure for future generation and some of them was also willing to do NTFP farming. It would be significant if herbal production companies focus on farming for better production and opportunities as well. The mass collection of NTFP products may result in“Tragedy of the commons” of Non timber forest products in this remote part of the world.