ROLE OF TRIBAL LIVELIHOOD OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT COLLECTED IN SIMILIPAL AREA OF MAYURBHANJ DISTRICT OF ODISHA

Abstract

Forest productions a vital role in the socio-economic life of tribal people in fact their life
can’t be imagined without forest. Collection and sell of different minor forest products for
commercial purposes are considered as crucial means of their livelihood. The tribal people
seasonally collect various NTFPs to satisfy the needs for their food, fodder and medicine. The
dominant tribes involved in using minor forest product in the District of Mayurbhanj are
santal, kolha, munda, bathudi, bhumij, gonds, saunti, hill kharia, mahali, mankirdia, lodha
etc. The current study tried to explore the role of tribal livelihood of NTFPs collected in
similipal area through a sample of 150 respondents selected from eight villages in Jashipur
block, Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. In this context, the purpose of the paper is to examine
the non-timber forest product the collects the different seasons and mostly use the forest for
their livelihood. The research is focused on both quantitative and qualitative data using
empirical field work. The respondents were given a structured interview schedule. The result
shows that almost all tribal people in the study village collect minor forest products illegally
and sell in local markets. Specific knowledge about NTFPs is required to ensure that
communities create optimal use of their rural resources.