Potential of NTFP Based Bioeconomy in Livelihood Security and Income Inequality Mitigation in Kashmir Himalayas

Ishtiyak Ahmad Peerzada, Mohammad A. Islam, James Chamberlain, Shalini Dhyani, Mohan Reddy and Somidh Saha
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Ishtiyak Ahmad Peerzada: Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar 191201, India
Mohammad A. Islam: Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar 191201, India
James Chamberlain: Forest Service, Southern Research Station (USDA), Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
Shalini Dhyani: Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 1196 Gland, Switzerland
Mohan Reddy: Nurture Agtech Private Limited, Bellandur, Bangaluru 560103, India
Somidh Saha: Research Group Sylvanus, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: The contribution of non timber forest products (NTFPs) has been acknowledged globally for their role in conservation, income generation, livelihood improvement and rural development. The potential of a NTFP-based bioeconomy has given a new dimension to the forest sector, and NTFPs are now considered favourably by the resource rich developing economies. The actual contribution of NTFPs has never been adequately estimated due to lack of sufficient baseline information on extraction, consumption patterns and traded quantities in Kashmir, India. Complicated management frameworks and fragmented value chains have eclipsed their diverse social life cycle in Kashmir. Therefore the present study investigates the bioeconomic transformation, livelihood contribution, income inequality mitigation and determinant socioeconomic factors of NTFP extraction in the Kashmir Himalayas. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to collect data through participatory household-based surveys from different villages. Data were collected through structured in-depth interviews, non-participant observation and focussed group discussions. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for data analysis. The Lorenz curve and Gini index were used to evaluate the influence of household NTFP incomes on income inequality mitigation, and econometric models were developed to identify key factors that influence the level of household income from NTFPs to determine their potential for supporting livelihood security and bioeconomy in the region.

Keywords: NTFP; NWFP; Kashmir Himalayas; bioeconomy; livelihood; income inequality; Lorenz curve; Gini coefficient (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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