PAI, ASWINI1* and SUPRAVA PATNAIK2. 1Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Porter Hall, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA; 2Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462003, Madhya Pradesh, India. - Conservation Status of NTFPs in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) include whole plants and plant
parts such as flowers, fruits, bark, gums, resins, dyes, roots and
rhizomes collected from forest areas for their economic value to
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other industries. Collection and value
addition of NTFPS is a major source of income and livelihoods to
indigenous communities of people residing in and around forest areas
in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. These NTFPs are collected from
multiple use areas such as village forests, sanctuaries and agro
forests. Though their socioeconomic importance is acknowledged, there
is little information on the ecological and conservation status of
these NTFPs. Recent increase in the demand for some of these NTFPs can
threaten their species populations in the wild. A conservation
assessment and management-planning (CAMP) workshop was conducted to
assess the status of forty species of NTFPs in Madhya Pradesh. These
species are of high economic importance to the state and were selected
in consultation with the state forest department. The workshop
utilized the IUCN criteria and process for categorization of species
and compilation of Red Data Books. Information on populations of NTFP
species was gleaned from participants representing of academia,
non-governmental organizations, industry, collectors cooperatives and
forest department working in the arena of NTFPs. Categorization of the
selected NTFP species indicated that 2 species were Critically
Endangered, 8 species were Endangered, 14 species were Vulnerable to
risks while the remainder 15 species were in lower risk categories in
Madhya Pradesh. Threats and risks responsible for population decline
of the species included over harvest and habitat turnover. Research
and management measures were outlined for species that were endangered
and vulnerable to risks. The CAMP workshop process is a useful tool
for gathering information on the conservation status of NTFP species
at a regional level.
Key words: CAMP, IUCN categorization, Madhya Pradesh, NTFPs