Diversity and Utilisation of Floral Non Timber Forest Products by the Communities in Rural Meghalaya, North-East India

Abstract The present study analyzes the diversity and usage of NTFPs and evaluates their importance in the day to day life of the people of rural Meghalaya. People use 172 NTFPs belonging to 139 plant species mainly for food, medicine and fuelwood and to a lesser extent for construction, handicrafts and ornamental purpose. These 139 plants belonged to 117 genera and 70 families with Rosaceae, Poaceae and Fagaceae families as the dominant NTFP yielding families. Fruits from shrubs and trees are most commonly harvested by people. Collection and availability of NTFPs for use as food are more during the summer season, which is also the period with least availability of job. NTFPs for subsistence use are greater in number than those having commercial value. The most commonly harvested plant parts are fruits and leaves. Roots, rhizomes and whole plants are extracted in lesser quantity which is a positive approach from sustainability point of view. NTFPs and other forest products also form a vital part of the rural household’s income generation activities. Key Words: NTFP diversity, food security, seasonality, sustainability, rural income