Role of non-timber forest products in sustaining forest-based livelihoods and rural households' resilience capacity in and around protected area- a Bangladesh study

TL;DR

This study investigates how non-timber forest products support rural livelihoods and enhance resilience in a Bangladeshi protected area, highlighting their economic importance despite restrictions and suggesting ways to improve local benefits.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on NTFPs' role in sustaining livelihoods and resilience in Bangladesh's protected areas, offering insights for policy improvements.

Findings

27% of households benefit financially from NTFPs

NTFPs account for 19% of household income

NTFPs are primary occupation for 18% of households

Abstract

People in developing world derive a significant part of their livelihoods from various forest products, particularly non-timber forest products. This article attempts to explore the contribution of NTFPs in sustaining forest-based rural livelihood in and around a protected area of Bangladesh, and their potential role in enhancing households resilience capacity. Based on empirical investigation our study revealed that, local communities gather a substantial amount of NTFPs from national park despite the official restrictions. 27 percent households of the area received at least some cash benefit from the collection, processing and selling of NTFPs, and NTFPs contribute as HHs primary, supplementary and emergency sources of income. NTFPs also constituted an estimated 19 percent of HHs net annual income, and were the primary occupation for about 18 percent of the HHs. HHs dependency on nearby forests for various NTFPs varied vis-a-vis their socio-economic condition as well as with their location from the park. Based on our case study the article also offers some clues for improving the situation in PA.