Role of NTFPs in livelihood
In this investigation community dependence on forest resources
for firewood, house construction material, wild edible plants, and
other daily use products was significant. The study revealed as many
as 343 plants species being used for diverse purposes which signifies
the rich community knowledge about these resources and their
management. Use of wide variety of species for a particular purpose is
an advantage to reduce pressure on few species. Consumption of
firewood for domestic needs was higher in winter than in summer
which was expected and similar to other mountain areas (Sundriyal
and Sharma, 1996). Pressure on important firewood species was also
evident by making charcoal, which was often illegally done. There was
a need to maintain most desirable firewood species in the clan and
community forests around villages so as to reduce pressure on them in
natural forest stands. Consumption and use of house construction
materials varied widely among the communities. Use of timber,
bamboo and cane was high as all houses were wooden made. In few
villages, however, some families were adopting CGI sheets for roofing
though it costs high and not affordable to majority. A large number of
other edible NTFPs species consumed at household level only and
harvests of such species were well within the carrying capacity. In
Himalayan region consumption of wild vegetables by local communities
was reported high and throughout the year, more so during lean
period (Sundriyal et al., 2004).