Importance of Non-Timber Forest Products in Tribal Livelihood of Mayurbhanj District of Odisha

1. Introduction

In India, the production of forests plays a crucial role in the socio-economic, cultural, and livelihoods of rural people who rely on forests for nourishment, energy, services, wholesome food, fodder, building materials, medicine, and a variety of other supplies and ecosystem services. After agriculture, the forest sector is the second-largest land use system. 1.7% of the nation’s GDP comes from forests (FAO, 2016). The villages on the edge of the forest provide a range of goods and services to the residents. The functions of forests include supporting sustainable livelihoods, fostering environmental stability, and preserving biodiversity. The fact that a typical tribal family gets half of their annual income from the forest, 13% from livestock, 18% from agriculture, and 18% from other sources of work, on average, indicates how dependent their communities are on the forest (Maikhuri RK et al., 1998). It’s interesting to recall that for many years prior, the evaluation of forest resources was mostly based on timber production. Nevertheless, the lifestyle of the rural tribal people depends on the gathering of a variety of other forest products, known as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), in addition to timber from forests. NTFPs, are rarely discussed by the public or government despite Odisha being a rich source of these items. NTFPs, or non-timber forest products, are any services or products that are generated in forests but are not wood. These consist of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, essences, resins, gum, palms, rattans and bamboo, as well as fibers and flosses, leaves, grasses, seeds, lac, honey and other materials (Panayotou and Ashton, 1993). Since the beginning of time, people have used non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for a wide range of needs, including fiber, food, fodder, agricultural amenities traditional medicine, household materials, construction materials, and many more uses that are culturally specific (Malik, 2000). The two primary categories of NTFPs are edibles and non-edibles. Non-edible items include oils for cosmetic use, grasses, medicinal products and ornamental plants. Edible products include plants and animals, honey, oils, spices, and more(Adepoju and Sheu, 2007). NTFPs, or non-timber forest products, are any services or products that are generated in forests but are not wood. According to Panayotou and Ashton (1993), these consist of fruits, nuts, vegetables, medicinal plants, gum, resins, essences, bamboo, rattans, and palms, as well as fibers and flosses, grasses, leaves, seeds, honey, lac, and other materials. Since the beginning of time, people have used non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for a wide range of needs, including food, fodder, fiber, traditional medicine, agricultural amenities, household materials, construction materials, and many more uses that are culturally specific (Malik, 2000). The two primary categories of NTFPs are edibles and non-edibles. According to Adepoju and Sheu (2007), non-edible items include grasses, ornamental plants, oils for cosmetic use, medicinal products, and fish. Edible products include plants and animals, honey, oils, fish, spices, and more. 50 million people in India depend on NTFPs for their subsistence(Shaanker et al., 2004). The Government of India and The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC), estimated that in 2010–2011, NTFP revenue amounted to approximately 20 billion (Mishra et al., 2009). About 40% of all official forest revenues in India come from NTFPs; in some states, like Odisha, that percentage can reach 70% (Rao and Rao, 2022). In India, non-timber harvesting peripheral projects generate an annual income of US$ 2.7 billion and employ half of all forestry workers (Islam and Quli, 2017). Furthermore, these resources provide for 50% of forest incomes and 70% of export revenue derived from forest products (Shiva and Verma, 2002). Therefore, the first need for the government would be to provide a precise legal definition of the word “NTFP” that specifies everything it would like to include for the purposes of certification and commercial harvesting. A policy for the collection, use, and sale of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been released by some states, including Andhra Pradesh and Orissa(Chauhan et al., 2008). The schedule includes information on specific species, royalty rates, and other relevant details. The following organizations supported the promotion of NTFPs: International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ,World Bank (WB),and the Biodiversity Support Programme (BSP) (Pandey et al ., 2016). With an annual commercial turnover of more than Rs. 6000 crores, it is one of the largest unorganized sectors. Even though over 275 million people in India—or 27% of the country’s entire population—rely on this industry for their monetary and subsistence lives, it is still not widely acknowledged (Malhotra, 2010).

Livelihood of local people 

According to estimates from the World Health Organization, 80% of people who live in underdeveloped nations rely on wild plants to help them with part of their nutritional and health needs. Indigenous knowledge of the forest resources used for agricultural production and food security is held by the local people. These sources of income can occasionally be used by the locals to generate additional opportunities for livelihood (IUCN, 2001).The states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are home to over 65% of India’s tribal population, which also produces around 70% of the country’s nontimber forest products (Guha, 1983).

Social and ritual values 

Numerous forest products are essential to social interactions and ceremonial practices in traditional cultures. The customs and beliefs that have been passed down to the tribal people from ancient times have resulted in its religion. The custom of using plants for different purposes is solely rooted in folklore. Other customs include the worship of various trees, Goddess Banadurga, Mother Earth, the Sun God, Jangal Devata and Daluani Devata. Numerous NTFPs are utilized in worship to appease the planets, offer sacrifices for fire, ward off bad spirits (kendu leaves), pray for prosperity in all endeavors, appease the planet Saturn, and honor the forest goddess, among other purposes.

Socio economic development 

The income from NTFPs ranged from Rs 234 to Rs 5569 (US $8-$186) per hectare per year, with a mean of Rs 2299 (US $79), according to research done on ten forest protection committees under the Joint Forest Management program (Malhotra et al., 1991). The share of overall export revenue from forest products that comes from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been increasing, with an average of 60 to 70 percent coming from these exports. Odisha receives a significant amount of revenue from NTFPs. Through the Odisha Forest Development Corporation, the state government of Odisha manages the trading and acquisition of various NTFPs (OFDC). After Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Odisha is the third-largest producer of Kendu leaves. The yearly Kendu leaves or Bidi production in Odisha is around 4.5 to 5 lakhs quintal (Sahoo et al.,2020).

Medicinal value and traditional health care 

The use of NTFPs in traditional medicine is deeply rooted in cultural practices and indigenous knowledge, passed down through generations. NTFPs are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential medicinal benefits, offering natural remedies for a wide range of ailments. Their availability in forests and other natural habitats makes them accessible to communities, especially in remote areas where modern healthcare services may be limited or unavailable. Additionally, the sustainable harvesting and utilization of NTFPs contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of traditional healing practices. Over 4 billion people receive their primary healthcare from traditional plant-based medical systems, according to the World Health Organization. Every group in the Northeast states has a traditional medical system based on ethnobotany (Dattagupta and Gupta, 2014). Tribal people collected NTFPs mainly to address their subsistence needs. Non-timber resources can significantly improve environmental health, cultural resilience, diverse economic growth, and sustainable rural development. While the majority of NTFPs have a high commercial value, a small percentage have poor cash values and are therefore used for consumption rather than sales. When an article by Peter et al. (1989) published in “Nature” asserted that collecting these products could yield higher profits from tropical forests than logging, it effectively sparked the interest of environmentalists worldwide regarding the relevance of NTFPs. Formerly the NTFP sector was ignored by main stream forestry for many years, and they were regarded as “minor” (Minor Forest Produce), even though the Forest Department made a fine living from having monopoly rights over a number of these NTFPs and MFPs. Environmental concerns are starting to play a bigger role in international trade and economic policy as a result of the notable increase in public awareness of environmental issues over the past few decades in both developed and developing nations. Consumer interests has encouraged data collection procedures aimed at distinguishing the environmental impact of products, as evidenced by the creation of “eco-labeling,” a procedure that aims to offer a sign of the extent to which a product is adapted to the environment appropriateness of goods and services. An overview of the five states In India, states including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and Uttarakhand have implemented NTFP-based benefit sharing models between the 1970s and 2000; however, these states have not yet developed sustainable harvesting mechanisms (Bhattacharya and Hyat, 2004). The governments of the aforementioned five states have primarily established distinct organizations tasked with acquiring, processing, storing, and promoting raw materials for NTFPs. More recently, the Indian government launched the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement initiative, in which covers 12 items across 8 states and is expected to assist 100 million people. NTFPs are taken from the wild without any knowledge of the maturity stage or parts that need to be taken. Before using plant material, its quality must be determined. The production of numerous NTFPs has decreased due to a number of factors, including overharvesting, early collecting, climate change (particularly severe drought and flooding), and others. The overabundance of demand from the herbal enterprises compelled the local villagers to collect products from several forest ranges before their time. Traders and suppliers employ local people to pick up certain products. Plants are becoming more vulnerable and experiencing less regeneration as a result of damaging collection procedures. Experts in biodiversity have noticed that the number of these trees is declining quickly, and that the populations of the related animals, such as bird and honey bee species, have also declined sharply. This has had a detrimental effect on the reproductive biology of several NTFP tree species. So the aim of the present research helps to collect information about NTFPs of Mayurbhanj district and their ethnopharmacological importance among local people.

2. Material and Methods

Study Area 

The district of Mayurbhanj is very large, with almost 10418 km² of territory. The district is located between latitudes 21° 16’ and 22° 34’ North and longitudes 85° 40’ and 87° 11’ East. The district is bounded on the North by West Bengal and Jharkhand, on the west by Keonjhar district and on the East by Balasore district of Orissa. The Rasgovindpur block’s Totapada, Raghabpur, and Badampur panchayats are the subject of the most recent study. This Block became operational on January 26, 1961. The Block Head Quarter is 40 miles from the District Head Quarter in Baripada, near Rasgobindpur. The Block’s geographic area is 101.01 square miles, made up of 16 G.P.

Figure 1. Odisha map showing the study sites.

Figure 1. Odisha map showing the study sites.

Data collection 

The study’s primary focus was on five villages: Totapada (Totapada panchayat), Bartana, and Kalama (Raghabpur panchayat), Badhi and Patharachhatia (Badampur panchayat). Twenty households from each village participated in the NTFP collection; the data were gathered at random. Individual interviews were conducted during the initial interactions with the local population. “Native experts,” or those regarded by the community as possessing extraordinary knowledge about plant usage, were identified. One hundred and sixty (74 women and 42 men) persons were interviewed. Among these interviews ,30% were aged, 21-40 years, 20% were 61 years old or more and half of the sample (50%) were in the 41-60 age range. The field study was carried out from August 2023 to April 2024, and the information on the use of plants was obtained through questionnaires, complemented by interviews and informal conversations. Total 92 samples were collected from the selected villages. Interviews were conducted one-on-one or in groups with elderly and experienced people, local healers of the villages, and plant parts and products used by the people for food, fodder, and beverages. Additionally, questions were asked about drugs, drug manufacturing techniques, suggested dosages, etc. by knowledgeable individuals or medicine men called Kaviraj. The plants have been sorted alphabetically for ease of use. In collaboration with the Flora of Orissa, the correct naming for the plant has been provided. In order to confirm the field study, if possible, images were taken and locals were interviewed one-on-one and in groups. A picture makes the presentation and result easier for us to understand. As a result, photographs have been taken of the plants, their parts, and people utilizing the plants. All the plant products description is stored with online QR code for future reference.

3. Results

The primary and secondary data serve as the foundation for the field work. Using a questionnaire survey and conversation, the respondents in the relevant communities provided the primary data. Several published sources have been used in the collection of secondary data. A total of 92 species belonging to 46 families with their household plant parts have been listed in Table 1. It is observed that out of the several parts leave, stem and flowers, fruits, barks which are plentily available almost in all seasons of the year are used for various household appliances and medicine.

Top 10 families are Fabaceae with 16 species followed by Anacardiaceae with 5 species, Combretacea, Moraceae, Poaceae and Zingiberaceae with 4 species and Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Rutaceae with 3 species. Rest of the families are represented by two or one species. Because of their relevance in biomedicine, plants—which are photosynthetic eukaryotes belonging to the kingdom Plantae—contribute greatly to our economy. Due to the presence of phytochemicals, all 92 species have some pharmacological qualities. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds are the most significant of these bioactive components found in plants. The names and chemical structures of a few significant phytochemicals found in the gathered plant species are shown in Table 2. One could consider the plants under study to be a possible source of practical medications. To isolate, identify, define, and clarify the structure of the bioactive chemicals in these plants, more research is being done. Numerous pharmacological characteristics, such as antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer effects, have been discovered for these substances. The pharmaceutical, nutritional supplement, and beauty industries can benefit greatly from the phytochemical diversity of non-traditional fish oils (NTFPs). NTFPs are the source of many conventional medications and natural cures, and continued research is identifying novel bioactive substances with possible medical uses.

Collection, processing and marketing of some major NTFPS 

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are mainly collected and sold in tribal or rural regions because these communities regardless of age or gender are engaged in gathering nature’s bounty. Although it takes a lot of time, the process of gathering dry items that fall to the ground ripe is straightforward. Ripe fruits, sal seeds, mahua flowers, and other items are harvested from the base of trees. Simply sweep the area completely and wait patiently for the prize to fall in order to obtain these NTFPs objects. This method requires no labor at all. Some NTFPs, such as the leaves of Sal, Kendu, and Siali, are harvested when still green. After being sun-dried to remove moisture, these materials are treated for various applications. In both situations, there is no need for any tools or implements. All you need are a couple of bamboo baskets. To fell the tree and extract its bark, sap, and other dry materials, you’ll need an axe and a knife. Collecting resin, gum, and honey requires a lot of work. An enthusiast for these goods typically packs a knife, climbing rope, and regular axe for their trip. It is a common observation that items that have been acquired are removed from the forest by means of pole carrying or headloads.

Sal leaf 

From February to May, new leaves grow; from January to March, they turn yellow and begin to fall. Women and children are the main leaf collectors; they use pluckers that are 20 to 22 feet long or gather leaves that have fallen to the forest floor. Twigs with four to five leaves are often plucked, and the leaves are then separated from the twigs. Khali (raw plates) are created by sewing green leaves together with bamboo or neem nails. For one plate, about 9–11 leaves and 10–11 splints are needed. To prevent fungal invasion, the stitched plates are carefully sun-dried for 48 in an open area. This should not be exceeded because it could lower the goods durability and flexibility. These dehydrated leaves are left open all night to absorb some moisture, which prevents the leaves from breaking when sewing.

Kendu leaves 

The collecting of Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaves is one of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that is mostly found in the central peninsula of India, including parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh. The clearing of fields, budding, tapering, and trimming often occurs in the month of March, which is when the kendu leave gathering process begins. It takes a month for fresh softy leaves to multiply. These leaves are subsequently harvested by individual homes primarily between mid-April and June. Manual leaf collection is done from standing trees and shrubs. Working to and from the tendu growing places, picking leaves, letting them dry in the sun, and sorting and bundling the leaves are the main tasks involved.

Sal seed 

The seeds are carefully gathered, either by climbing the trees or after they have fallen to the ground. The sala seeds are gathered and then let to dry in the sun. This aids in eliminating any surplus moisture and stops the growth of mold. Longer seed preservation is another benefit of drying. Tribal people use rudimentary instruments like sieves or their hands to remove any debris or contaminants after the seeds have dried. This guarantees that only clean seeds will proceed with processing.

Kochila seeds 

The seeds are manually gathered, frequently by climbing the trees to pluck them or after they have fallen to the ground. The Kochila seeds are gathered and then allowed to dry in the sun. To be sold to traders, the dried seeds are kept in airtight containers. After being dried and cleaned, some of the Kochila seeds are ground into a fine powder or processed using manual presses, wooden pestles and mortars, or grinding stones to extract the oils.

Karanja seeds 

Around the nation, the fruits are collected at various dates, primarily in May and June. Each seed weighs between 1.1 and 1.8 grams when it is harvested in the spring. According to the locals, collecting karanja pods takes about a week, and dehulling and decorticating the pods to remove the seeds takes almost the same length of time.

Mahula flower 

According to tribal perspectives, mahula is the most significant tree species since it serves a multitude of functions. It has significant spiritual, cultural, therapeutic, decorative, and multipurpose uses. Approximately 40% of the tribal population in Mayurbhanj derives their livelihood from the Mahua flowers and fruits. The Mahua flowers are mostly used to make whiskey, which is much sought after in the tribal area due to the low cost of the goods, which negatively impacts the tribe’s economy.

Kusuma seeds 

The cluster of fruit are gathered by climbing the Schleichera oleosa trees. After wiping the fruits in water and allowing them to dry, the pulp is removed. It is frequently employed as a lac bug host, Laccifer lacca (Karr). In southern India, it is a popular bee plant for nectar and for the manufacture of kusumi lac.

Tentuli 

A significant fruit tree, the tamarind is planted in regions of India that receive rain, particularly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Every year, over 2.50 lakh tonnes of tamarind pulp are produced in India. Although raw tamarind is traded in March, April, and May, the harvesting season actually runs from February to April.When the fruits of the tree are entirely mature or fall from the tree, they are harvested. Harvested fruits are gathered, categorized, and graded. Fruits with fragile skins are peeled off, and the seed-containing pulp is extracted. Seeds with pulp are sun-dried for five to seven days. Pulp that has been semi-dried is wrapped and packed in sizable plastic bags. Many tough, glossy, brown seeds are contained in each pod. The materials surrounding the seeds are soft, edible that prized part of fruit.

Sabai grass 

The Mayurbhanj District is endowed with naturally occurring Sabai grass in the forest, as well as cultivable kinds cultivated on private property, government land, and residential forests’ backyards. Making rope is typically a part-time job for rural families. Before going to bed, work is frequently completed in the evening, early in the morning, and late at night. But the labor of twisting takes up the entire day. Mainly women and kids are involved. Sabai Ropes are generally sold both inside and beyond the state for use in paper manufacturing companies and in the weaving of charpai (Cots). Sabai rope is woven and coiled over the frame to give a finishing shape, which attains exceptional excellence. It is also used to make tea poi, little baskets, sofa sets, and chairs, among other things.

Bamboo 

The tallest grasses in the globe are bamboos. The Poaceae family includes bamboos. Of the 1250 species of bamboo, 130 are found in India. Of these, 13 species are located in Odisha, where three to four species are abundant and 25% of Indians live in poverty. As a result, bamboo housing might develop into an affordable substitute. Bamboo has been utilized in the construction of houses in a variety of applications, including roofing, walls, doors, and windows. Bamboo is used to make a wide variety of everyday household items, including wall plates, wall hangers, trays, mats, baskets, toys, and nets. Bamboo strips are used to create decorative arrangements of fruits and flowers in bamboo products of various sizes and forms. Bamboo is used to make flutes, a common musical instrument in India.

Cane 

As members of the Calamoideae, a sizable subfamily of the Palm family (Arecaceae), rattans are scaly, climbing palms. Worldwide, there are over 600 species of rattans that are divided into 14 genera.With five genera and sixty species, mostly located in the Western Ghats, Andaman Islands, and North-eastern India, India has a good diversity of rattans. The locals harvest rattan using traditional methods, which involve gathering the vines in bundles from the forest and chopping them with machetes. The thorns and outer skin of the rattan are removed during processing after harvest. After processing, the rattan is dried to remove excess moisture. Tribals frequently employ ancient weaving methods to make rattan furniture, baskets, and other items. These goods are often created by hand and can be intricately designed.

Marketing 

All 5 surveyed village had inadequate economic and infrastructural development. The main jobs were subsistence farming, gathering non-timber forest products (NTFPs) from nearby woods or from private trees (Mahula), raising livestock such as cows, goats, lambs, pigs, and chickens, and earning seasonal wages. People gathered various forest products for their own use, to sell in the neighborhood marketplaces (Hatas) for cash, or to trade for necessities. Local people play a vital role in the marketing of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as they often rely on these resources for their livelihoods. By engaging in the sustainable harvesting, processing, and selling of NTFPs, local communities can generate income while promoting conservation efforts. The collected NTFPs are categorized Into different groups such as oil seeds includes sal seeds, neem seeds, karanj seeds, kusum seeds and . Second, food products such as charkoli, amla, jammun, mahula, kendu, mushrooms, tentuli . Third, medicinal products such as harida, bahada, jhuna and siali bark. Fourth, leaves such as sala, kendu and siali are categorized into leaves. Except these, the other major NTFPs are sabai grass. To make a good living, sal leaves are gathered, dried, and sewn into handmade plates that are then sold in the neighborhood haata (weekly markets). On the other hand, machine-pressed sal leaf plates are highly sought after in towns, where they can increase more revenue by improving through automated molding. For tribal women and children, collecting and reselling toothbrushes made of Mahua (Madhuca latifolia), Sal (Shorea robusta), Karanj (Millettia pinnata), and Neem (Azadirachta indica) in local and city marketplaces is a well-liked and profitable enterprise. Mahua dried flowers are used to make country whiskey, which is sold by indigenous women in makeshift stores. Customers buy it during local weekly haats, practically all celebrations, memorials, and cultural events. Therefore, the forests that surround the communities not only offer an abundance of grazing areas and ample fodder for raising cattle, but they also present chances for employment and revenue.

Issues and Challenges for marketing of NTFPs 

When it comes to marketing non-timber forest products (NTFPs), locals confront a number of obstacles, such as restricted market access, volatile prices, a lack of market knowledge, and weak negotiating power. Their capacity to reach potential customers and bargain for reasonable rates for their goods may be hampered by inadequate transportation, infrastructure, and market expertise. Additionally, their income and way of life may be impacted by market price fluctuations, which makes it challenging to properly plan and budget. Locals may find it difficult to compete with larger manufacturers and organizations that have greater resources and marketing capabilities if they do not have access to current market knowledge and the required certifications for quality control. To increase the market value of NTFPs and maintain a consistent income, it is also essential to ensure sustainable harvesting practices and implement value addition strategies. All things considered, in order to optimize their economic prospects and encourage environmental preservation, the local population needs assistance developing their marketing abilities, finding customers, and negotiating the challenges of selling Natural Therapeutic Products.

4. Discussion

The study revealed a rich diversity of NTFPs in the study area, with a wide range of traditional uses and phytochemical structures. Despite their traditional use in our country, the plants and their chemical compounds have not been thoroughly studied to confirm earlier beliefs reveal new medicinal properties and focus on their possible pharmaceutical applications. These plants have proven to be very important in research on medicinal plants. and the phytochemicals they contain make them plants for use in medical research and development. Local communities have developed sustainable collection methods and processing techniques to ensure the availability of these resources for future generations. However, challenges such as overharvesting, habitat destruction, and lack of market access were also identified. Sustainable management practices and market development initiatives are needed to conserve these valuable resources and support the livelihoods of local communities. Further research is recommended to explore the potential of these NTFPs for economic development and biodiversity conservation in the region. To strengthen the pharmacological profile of these species for drug development, the extraction, identification and mode of action of the bioactive components at the molecular level should be investigated in more detail. In addition, more research is needed to clarify the relationship between traditional uses and their pharmacological functions. Therefore, they are recommended for further studies on the pharmacological importance of these phytochemicals in the body. This study is another confirmation that these plants are good sources of income for individuals, income production and bio-perspectives.

5. Conclusion

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) play a crucial role in livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management. These resources, including medicinal plants, fruits, nuts, resins, bamboo, and essential oils, provide economic opportunities for rural communities while reducing pressure on timber harvesting. NTFPs support traditional knowledge and cultural practices, particularly among indigenous groups, and contribute to food security and health care. Their sustainable harvesting ensures ecosystem balance, promoting biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. However, challenges such as overexploitation, market access, and policy gaps need to be addressed through better governance, community involvement, and value chain development to maximize their potential benefits.