Improving forest dependent livelihoods through NTFPs and home gardens : a case study from Satchari National Park

They also play important roles in forest conservation. This paper explores the roles NTFPs and home gardens play in improving the livelihoods of forest dependent people and forest conservation in and around a newly declared protected area, Satchari National Park. The authors conducted an intensive field survey from mid-February to late June, 2006. Study results suggest that 27% of households in the Satchari area receive at least some cash income from NTFPs. Moreover collection, processing and selling of NTFPs constitutes the primary occupation of 18% of these households. The authors also found that wealthier households with rich homegarden compositions rely less on nearby forests, then poorer households who are mostly dependent on forests to meet their subsistence needs. Based on these results and discussions with various stakeholders in the study area, it is suggested that it would be useful to enrich home gardens and buffer zones with commercially important NTFPs. The authors conclude that a co-management approach should be introduced to reduce local dependency on Satchari National Park. (Author abstract, modified)