tailieunhanh - The role of NTFPs in the livelihood strategy of rural communities: An overview

At present, there seems to be a global consensus on the importance and inevitable roles of NTPFs. Despite this fact, there are also numerous problems that need to be considered in order to enhance the many positive roles of NTFPs. Among the problems are declining natural stocks, policies unconducive to environment al protection and poor access to "fair" market. | The Role of NTFPs in the Livelihood Strategy of Rural Communities An overview 1. INTRODUCTION MSc. Nguyen Trung Thanh Technology University of Dresden Germany Background Non timber forest products NTFPs form an integral part of the livelihood strategy of rural community in the tropics. At the household level they are used mainly for subsistence purposes such as food medicine etc. Moreover some products are often of economic importance as they are traded locally and even internationally. Besides that NTFPs have potential to contribute to the conservation of tropical rainforests and participatory forest management Ros-Tonen 2000 . The cultural and spiritual values of NTFPs are frequently mentioned in the literature. Because of the variety of roles of NTFPs they have received considerable attention by researchers and policy makers. At present there seems to be a global consensus on the importance and inevitable roles of NTPFs. Despite this fact there are also numerous problems that need to be considered in order to enhance the many positive roles of NTFPs. Among the problems are declining natural stocks policies unconducive to environmental protection and poor access to fair market. Objectives This essay briefly reviews some important aspects of NTFPs in relation to the livelihood strategies of rural communities. The review comprises the following topics the use of NTFPs at local household level chapter 2 and the many problems faced by local community in the management and extraction of NTFPs chapter 3 . A model for development of small-scale enterprises is proposed. Through out critical analysis is presented. Based on the analysis general conclusions are drawn and some recommendations for the enhancement and development of NTFPs are suggested. Limitations This essay looks at the NTFPs th at are extracted from natural forests and those domesticated at the household level . planted around the house by rural communities in the tropics. NTFPs that are .