Book on birds

Friday, May 11, 2018

Non timber forest products (NTFP) for sustainable socio-economic development of community

The non timber forest products (NTFP), generally termed non-wood forest products (NWFP) or minor forest produce (MFP) are defined as “forest products consisting of goods of biological origin other than wood, derived from forest, other wood land and trees outside forests”1. These include bamboo and canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of edible products including nuts, wild fruits, honey, etc. In India,  NTFP has been defined legally under ‘Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006’ popularly known as Forest Rights Act (FRA) under the heading minor forest produce (MFP) [Section 2 (1) of the act]2. NTFP sector is one of India’s largest unorganized sectors having a dependent population of about 275 million and business turnover of more than Rs.6000 crores per annum. However, this sector has unfortunately been neglected since the pre-independence period. NTFP contributes to about 20% to 40% of the annual income of forest dwellers who are mostly disadvantageous and landless communities with a dominant population of tribals3.

                        
                                     Arundia graminiofolia (Bamboo orchid)

                       
                                                      Bamboo plant 
                         
                                                 Toko plant (Livistona jenkinsiana)
                                                Important NTFP product of the state
Arunachal Pradesh, often referred to as the ‘land of the dawn-lit mountains’, is geographically the largest state in Northeast India. The state is uniquely situated in the transition zone between the Himalayan and Indo-Burmese regions, being recognized as one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots of the world4.The state covers a geographical area of 83,743 km2 which constitutes 2.54 % of the total area of the country, 15.76% of the Indian Himalayan region and 43.62% of the Himalayan Biodiversity Hot Spot5.  It is known as cradle of all flowering plants, containing nearly 50% of the total flowering plant species (about 5000 spp. of angiosperm) in India6. Arunachal Pradesh is endowed with wide variety of NTFP comprising about 73 species of bamboos, 18 species of canes, about 570 species of orchids, about 450 species of medicinal and aromatic plants, toko plant (Livistona jenkinsiana) etc.7 
The recorded forest cover of the state is 67,410 km2, which constitutes 80.50% geographical area of the state. The bamboo bearing area in the forests of the state is 16, 083 sq. km (31% area of total recorded forest area of state)8. The 26 major tribes and 110 sub-tribes of state live in close association with forests and highly dependent on numerous NTFPs for subsistence of their livelihoods. However, due to change in socio-economic and cultural dynamics, population increase and expansion of developmental process, the pressure on available biological and forest resources has increased in recent past. Shifting or jhum cultivation is being practiced by most of the tribal communities since time immemorial in the state. At present, shortening of jhum cycle (fallow period) and deforestation have been major reasons of depletion of rich biodiversity. As per the report of India State of Forest 2011 Assessment, there is total decrease of 7400 ha of forests as compared to 2009, which includes 500 ha of highly dense forests and 5500 ha of moderately dense forest. Jhum cultivation continues to be the main stay of sustenance for a vast majority of the tribal communities due to non-availability of alternative livelihood opportunities. Therefore, to minimize the dependence of local people on jhum cultivation, sustainable use of NTFPs can play vital role in poverty alleviation by creating large scale employment opportunity, empowerment of the forest dwellers and tribal communities coupled with environment protection in state. NTFPs would also reduce the pressure on forests there by conserving the native biodiversity and also reducing the ill impact of climate change. As per Arunachal Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change (APSPCC), the biodiversity rich districts of Arunachal Pradesh are projected to be adversely impacted by climate change by 2030s9. Climate change (change in temperature and rainfall pattern) will not only threaten the NTFP production both qualitatively and quantitatively, but will also affect the dependent economy of the indigenous people of the state. NTFPs can directly contribute to carbon sequestration.

Government of Arunachal Pradesh has identified the NTFP as one of the important sectors to boost the socio-economic development of the state. There is therefore an urgent need to strengthen and develop NTFP sector through development of sustainable production and harvesting protocols, availability of better marketing opportunity and system, regulation of supply and demand, value addition of the NTFPs, formulation of comprehensive NTFP policy in the state, local entrepreneurship development, improvement of infrastructure facilities, and strengthening of R&D institutions. Exhaustive R&D studies are essentially required to assess the baseline status of NTFP; inventorization & prioritization of NTFP; to identify issues and challenges in production, regeneration, utilization, over-exploitation and marketing; documentation of indigenous knowledge and climate change impact on NTFP. Capacity building and knowledge enhancement of stake holders through education and awareness program, imparting training on production and sustainable harvesting and marketing on NTFP will also empower the tribal community and strengthen the NTFP sector in the state.

Reference
1. FAO, Towards a harmonized definition of NWFPs. Unasylva, 1999. 50: 63–64.
2. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
3. Rawat, R. V. S., et al., Report of the Sub-group II on NTFP and their sustainable management in the 12th Five Year Plan, Submitted under Planning Commissions Working group on Forests and Natural Resource Management, 2011.
4. Mayers, N., Environmentalist, 1990, 10, 243–256.
5. Samal, P.K. et al., Biodiversity conservation through community based natural resource management: An approach. G.B.Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora, Uttarakahnd, India, 2013. 
6. Chowdhery, H.J., Arunachal Pradesh –The Cradle of Flowering Plants. In Rawat, G.S. (Ed.). 2008. Special Habitats and Threatened Plants of India. ENVIS Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas, Vol. 11(1). Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India, 2008.
7. Bhuyan, L.R. et al., Non timber forest products of    Arunachal  Pradesh-scope, prospects and problems. Bulletin of Arunachal Forest Research. 2010, 27: 47-53.
8. Anon., State Forest Report, Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, Ministry of Environment and Forest. Govt. of India, 2011.
9. Anon., Arunachal Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, 2011.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Community Based Birdwatching Ecotourism



Birdwatching tourism or avitourism is a form of nature based ecotourism that deals to travel and tourism for observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats. It is one of the fastest growing outdoor activity around the world and particularly gaining popularity in developing countries. Birdwatchers are mostly conservation-minded responsible ecotourists, respect wildlife and natural habitats and have above average incomes1. As per economic assessment study the annual economic value of bird watching tourism industry in United States is around $107 billion and United Kingdom birdwatching expenditures are estimated at $500 million per year. Birdwatching tourism opens potential remote areas for birdwatchers and also provides economic motivation to local community for conservation of bird species and natural habitats.

        Birdwatching tourism in Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, China

Arunachal Pradesh is recognized as one of the 25 mega biodiversity hotspots of the world with the second highest breeding bird diversity in the world2. It is largest mountain state (83,743 km2) of North East Region of the country, having 80% forest cover and considerable area (around 11.82 % of geographical area of the state) under protected area network (PAN). There are 2 National Parks, 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 orchid sanctuary, 2 tiger reserves, 2 elephant reserves and 1 biosphere reserve in the state. The state has an exceptional richness in avian diversity, around 750 birds species have been recorded from the state (57 % of total avian species of country), making the state second highest avian diversity state in the country3,4. There are 25 notified Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the state. Arunachal Pradesh is not fully explored in ornithological perspective and holds great potential for new bird species discoveries5. Some new bird Species such as Himalayan Forest Thrush (Zoothera salimalii), Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) and new subspecies of the Sclater’s monal (Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis) have recently been recorded from the state. Diverse landscapes and varied climatic conditions also offer suitable habitats of various migratory birds viz. Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Anas Spp. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest diversity of hornbills in the country, as it is home to five different species (out of 9 species recorded from India) namely Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates), White-throated Brown Hornbill (Anorrhinus austeni) and Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). Rich and unique bird diversity of state makes it a very idle destination of birdwatchers. Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (454 avifauna), Namdapha National Parks (491 avifauna), Pakke Tiger Reserve (282 avifauna), Mouling National Park (114 avifauna), Dehang Dibang Biosphere Reserve (153 avifauna), Tawang area (113 avifauna) and Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (130 avifauna) are some of the potential birdwatching areas of the state.
   Migratory Rudy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) at Shungaster lake, Tawang

Author has recently participated in a regional workshop on harnessing potential on birdwatching ecotourism under Landscape Initiative for the Far-Eastern Himalayas (HI-LIFE) project organized by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal in Baihualing village of Yunnan, China and observed that villagers of Baihualing have successfully promoted the birdwatching tourism. Now this village has become a popular destination for international and national birdwatchers due to its close proximity to Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) and the rich diversity of bird species. The local community are directly getting livelihood benefits from homestay operation, food, transport, bird watching ponds & hides, bird guide services and selling of local products and souvenir. They are also actively involved in various bird and nature conservation activities.
Considering the rich diversity of birds and presence of important bird areas in Arunachal Pradesh, there is ample opportunity for development of birdwatching tourism in the state therefore such community driven birdwatching ecotourism initiative needs to be implemented in the state. This will provide alternative livelihood opportunity to local community and will also reduce pressure on the forest and natural resources and ultimately help in conservation of biodiversity. It could also be one of the climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy for this climate change sensitive Himalayan state6.  At present, Bugun community is involved in birdwatching tourism activity in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary of the state but, there is huge potential for development of birdwatching tourism sector in the other areas of state. Collaborative actions and wider partnership of all stake holders mainly forest and tourism departments, research institutions, researchers, non government organization (NGO), tourism sector organizations and community are urgently need to harness the birdwatching tourism potential of the state. Capacity building and awareness creation among local community are other important priority areas for sustainable development of community based birdwatching tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.


References:
     1. Sekercioglu, C.,Impacts of birdwatching on human and avian communities. Environ Conserv., 2002, 29, 282–289.
     2. Mohan, D. and Athreya, R., Sustainable bird based tourism in India's remote north-east frontier. International Journal of Innovation Science, 2011, 3, 23–28.
    3. Chowdhury, A. U., A pocket guide to the birds of Arunachal Pradesh. 1st ed. Gibbon Books, Guwahati, 2006.
     4. Mize, D. and Tsomu, T., Avi-fauna species recorded from the Rono Hill of Arunachal Pradesh. The Ecoscan, 2012, 6,177-180.
    5. Mishra, C. and Datta, A., A new bird species from eastern Himalayan Arunachal Pradesh- India’s biological Frontier. Current Science, 2007, 92(9), 1205-1206.
   6. Kanwal, K.S., et al., Climate change and high-altitude wetlands of Arunachal Pradesh. Current Science, 2013, 105 (8), 1037-38.

Non timber forest products (NTFP) for sustainable socio-economic development of community

The non timber forest products (NTFP), generally termed non-wood forest products (NWFP) or minor forest produce (MFP) are defined as “fore...