Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)
Journal Space and Culture, India

Research

Harmonising Conservation and Livelihood: Sustainable Practices for Non-Timber Forest Produce in the Vidarbha Tiger Landscape, India

Published 2025-09-25

  • Manisha Ashraf
    • ,
  • Sukanya Sharma
    • ,
  • Anil Kumar Nair

Manisha Ashraf
PhD Candidate, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India

Sukanya Sharma
Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India

Anil Kumar Nair
Wildlife Trust of India, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India

Abstract

In the fringe villages of a Protected Area for wildlife, the livelihood pattern is sometimes an issue of contestation. There is apprehension that Protected Area laws undermined people’s livelihood and traditional access to forests. For a win-win situation to be achieved, wherein both the forest and local people attain ecological and social security, the study has discussed sustainable extraction and value-added practices for commonly collected Non-Timber Forest Produce, such as Madhuca longifolia, Syzygium cumini, and Aegle marmelos. Based on interviews and observation methods in three forest ranges of the Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, a part of the Vidarbha Tiger landscape in Maharashtra, India, the skills and livelihood assets owned by the local community were assessed. The study suggests more frequent capacity-building training and encourages the plantation of commercially valuable natural resources in village common areas and residential backyards. There is enormous scope to guide the community towards an organised marketing system, indigenous technologies, institutional support in training and skill development, and appropriate extension and communication networks, as well as exploring natural resources-based livelihoods without venturing too far into the forest.

 

Keywords

Protected Areas, Non-Timber Forest Produce, Livelihood, Self-Help Group, Tiger, Community, Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Vidarbha Tiger Landscape, Sustainable Practices, India

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Author Biography

Manisha Ashraf

Manisha Ashraf pursued her Master's in Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.  She is currently working as a Senior Project Associate at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. She is pursuing her PhD at the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, IIT Guwahati, on the human-wildlife interface around the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam.

Sukanya Sharma

Professor Sukanya Sharma is also affiliated with the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems and the Centre for Linguistic Science and Technology. Her research focuses on archaeology and cultural studies. Her profile can be accessed https://www.iitg.ac.in/hss/faculty_page_profile.php?name=ZHBEc1ZCamJaQlJPcnZaTmlZWGpEQT09  

Anil Kumar Nair

Anil Kumar Nair, with over 30 years in conservation, specialises in protecting endangered species across India’s diverse ecosystems. Holding degrees in Sustainable Development and Ecology, he has led research, community-led conservation models, and collaborations with leading institutions.

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