Extraction of Non Timber Forest Produce from Selected Tree Species in Betul Forest division and its Impact on the Population Structure of these Species

Abstract

This study, carried out from November 1996 to May 1997 in North Betul Forest Division (NBFD), aimed to investigate the impacts of NTFP collection on the population structure of three extracted species namely, Buchanania lanzan, Emblica officinalis and Madhuca indica. Population structure, particularly the proportion of the younger recruitment classes in the extracted site, was compared to that in Satpura National Park, an ecologically similar but undisturbed area, a perfect natural 'control' site. Regeneration of all three were negligible in the harvested site when compared to that in the unharvested site. Interestingly, Timber Forest Products, viz. Tectona gran dis, Bauhinia racemosa, and Chloroxylon sweitenia, which are harvested for parts other than the fruit/seed, showed good regeneration in both sites. The second component of the study viz. the socio-economic investigation of the dependent people showed that they ranked other occupations like Forest Department jobs and agriculture above NTFP collection and realised that collection had a negative impact on the forests. It seems that it is only the want of other income generating opportunities that forces them to continue extraction. Again this offers scope for conservation measures to be implemented. Though a short study like this is limited in its scope for providing long-term solutions, it clearly demonstrates that NTFP collection, particularly of Buchanania lanzan, Emblica officinalis and Madhuca indica in dry deciduous forests of central India does have a significant impact on the forests in general and these species in particular.