In south Meghalaya, farmers maintain a variety of economically important plant species in arecanut agroforestry systems. We investigated plant species composition of arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya and encount...In south Meghalaya, farmers maintain a variety of economically important plant species in arecanut agroforestry systems. We investigated plant species composition of arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya and encountered 160 plants, which included 83 tree species, 22 shrub species, 41 herb species and 14 climber species. The study reveals that arecanut agroforests provide cash income, medicine, timber, fuelwood and edibles for household consumption as well as for sale. We conclude that these agroforestry systems serve as home for many economically important plant species, harbour rich biodiversity and mimic the natural forests both in structural composition as well as ecological and economic functions.展开更多
Ever since their emergence on this planet, human beings have depended on forest resources for their requirements, ranging from food, fuel to shelter. Sustainable extraction of forest resources has been promoted by con...Ever since their emergence on this planet, human beings have depended on forest resources for their requirements, ranging from food, fuel to shelter. Sustainable extraction of forest resources has been promoted by conservationists and development agencies as a feasible strategy for forest dwellers, which does not diminish the resource base. Yet surveys of actual resource use suggest that for poorer resource-dependent communities without access to markets, non-timber forest products （NTFPs） can only act as a safety- net and a supplementary income source. In southern Meghalaya of India, NTFPs and medicinal and aromatic plants （MAPs） have become an important source of cash and subsistence income for poor people living in or near forests. People in this region have tradi- tionally been collecting different forest products from private forests as well as community conserved forests, The study reveals that NTFPs contribute significantly towards the annual cash income of the local population. The contribution of NTFPs to their income was highest in the case of poor families （9.89%）, followed by middle income families （3.34%） and the least for the higher income families （1.34%）. Our household survey revealed that 100% of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on NTFPs. House- hold response indicates diversity in both the types and uses of products collected.展开更多
文摘In south Meghalaya, farmers maintain a variety of economically important plant species in arecanut agroforestry systems. We investigated plant species composition of arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya and encountered 160 plants, which included 83 tree species, 22 shrub species, 41 herb species and 14 climber species. The study reveals that arecanut agroforests provide cash income, medicine, timber, fuelwood and edibles for household consumption as well as for sale. We conclude that these agroforestry systems serve as home for many economically important plant species, harbour rich biodiversity and mimic the natural forests both in structural composition as well as ecological and economic functions.
文摘Ever since their emergence on this planet, human beings have depended on forest resources for their requirements, ranging from food, fuel to shelter. Sustainable extraction of forest resources has been promoted by conservationists and development agencies as a feasible strategy for forest dwellers, which does not diminish the resource base. Yet surveys of actual resource use suggest that for poorer resource-dependent communities without access to markets, non-timber forest products （NTFPs） can only act as a safety- net and a supplementary income source. In southern Meghalaya of India, NTFPs and medicinal and aromatic plants （MAPs） have become an important source of cash and subsistence income for poor people living in or near forests. People in this region have tradi- tionally been collecting different forest products from private forests as well as community conserved forests, The study reveals that NTFPs contribute significantly towards the annual cash income of the local population. The contribution of NTFPs to their income was highest in the case of poor families （9.89%）, followed by middle income families （3.34%） and the least for the higher income families （1.34%）. Our household survey revealed that 100% of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on NTFPs. House- hold response indicates diversity in both the types and uses of products collected.
