Centre of Excellence on Forest based Livelihood
Uttarakhand’s Forests and Livelihood
The forests of Uttarakhand have been an essential part of the state’s development, with nearly 80% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on them for sustenance or livelihood. Forests provide fodder, fuelwood, wild foods, construction materials, and medicines for humans and cattle. They also create microclimates conducive to crop cultivation in the hills. Forest products support livelihoods in fringe areas, with non-wood forest products (NWFPs) like medicinal plants and bamboos gaining importance for better income opportunities. A notable initiative in this direction was undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GOI, along with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST), Dehradun, through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Forest-based Livelihood to study and promote forest-based resources.
Challenges and Focus
The rural population in the hills mostly survives on subsistence agriculture or migrates for employment, leaving lands fallow. The challenge is to promote livelihoods through local employment and income generation to curb out-migration and improve quality of life. This project aims to compile data on forest and grassland resources as livelihood options, especially focusing on sustainable mountain development within the Himalayan region.
Objectives
- To collect all available data on forest-based produce, focusing on non-timber products like medicinal plants and bamboo, and create a clearinghouse for this information.
- To interact with local communities through focused group discussions (FGD) and estimate their dependence on forests for livelihood.
- To analyze value and supply chains for various forest products.
- To develop a resource directory of government, non-government organizations, private institutes, and experts working in forest livelihood.
- To conduct socio-economic analysis and estimate the cultural dependence of forest fringe villages on forestry.
Focus Area
The rural population of Uttarakhand relies heavily on forest resources for food, fuel, and fodder, which provide livelihoods and income opportunities. The Centre of Excellence (COE) aims to generate datasets on forest-based livelihoods, helping assess dependence and improve quality of life. The focus is mainly on forest products such as medicinal plants and bamboos.
Medicinal Plants
The state hosts nearly 700 medicinal plant species due to its diverse altitudes and microclimates. These plants are used in folk and formal medicinal systems including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy. Some plants like neem, bhringraj, gokhru, tulsi, and dhatura are harvested freely, while others such as hattajari, atis, kutki, bach, giloy, and sarpgandha are banned from forest harvesting and need cultivation. Sustainable harvesting practices are promoted for species like harad, bahera, bael, amla, amaltas, and tejpat. Medicinal plants are vital for traditional medicine industries and provide livelihood and health security to many.
Bamboos
Bamboos, regarded as the poor man’s timber, have been part of human civilization for ages. In Uttarakhand, eight species grow naturally; four are thick bamboo and four are thin ringal species. Thick species like Dendrocalamus strictus, D. somdevii, D. patellaris, and bambusa bambos grow between 300-1500 m altitude and are used for paper and household items. Ringal species such as Drepanostachyum falcatum, Thamnocalamus pathiflorus, T. jaunsarensis, and Himalayacalamus falconeri grow between 1500-3500 m and are used for baskets, mats, and other products. Bamboos contribute significantly to rural economy by providing subsistence activities, employment, and household income.
Other Forest Products
Additional forest products offering livelihood opportunities include wild edibles like fungi, berries, nuts, and flowers, as well as fodder, fuelwood, fibers, seeds, honey, leaves, bark, resins, and gums.