Some Marketing Aspects of Important Non-Timber Forest Products in a Proposed UNESCO Heritage Site of Arunanchal Pradesh, India

Ziro valley in Arunanchal Pradesh is a designated heritage site of UNESCO which has been inhabited by the Apatani tribe for centuries. They have perfected the indigenous knowledge based use of non-timber forest products for various purposes. In the last few decades they have been marketing some of these products in order to improve their livelihood. The objective of the present study is to identify potential products, prevailing marketing aspects, commercialization impact on natural resources, and to explore future strategy. Qualitative methods of research like questionnaire survey, semi-structured interview, focus group discussion etc. were used for data collection. Altogether 127 products were recognized as marketable, potentially marketable and products with meager potential used for supplementing food, medicine, house construction etc. At the time of survey, 55 products were sold in local (Antiitari ayi, Baching ayi, Biiling, Byako; Solanum kurzi, Byako; S. myricanthum etc.) and regional (Ginseng, Nikhe, Paris, Eppane naniii, Tapyo, Taxus, Tiiming, and Yaso) markets. Around 40 products were identified as commercially important (Samper ayi >Salyo ayi >Hiipey hamang >Baching ayi >Byapu >Kung ayi >Biiling >Taro ayi >Mepi hamang >Siya hamang etc.). Short and long value chain products were traded in informal markets. Price spreads of 20 short value chain products are recorded. Research need and value addition to some products, improvement in market information system and change in market nature from informal to formal has been suggested as possible strategy for better return. NTFP extraction should be well organized and coordinated with harvest guidelines for the sustainability of extraction and supply to the market.