DIVERSITY AND UTILISATION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS OF TINSUKIA DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIA

Tinsukia district of Assam (India) is rich in natural wealth. The district has total forest area about 1,55,97,900 hector which includes one Biosphere reserve, one National Park, two Wildlife Sanctuaries and thirty five Reserve Forests. A good number of villages are situated in and around these forests. Major part of the population of the district is dependent directly or indirectly on the forest resources. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are remarkably contributing to livelihoods of the people living near the forest areas. They are collecting wild edible plants & plant?s parts, fire wood, medicine, condiments, house building & thatching materials, broom, fiber, resin, fodder plants, etc. for their domestic use as well as for trade. NTFPs, like wild edible plants are of great demand, especially in the urban areas. This ever increasing demand of NTFPs is creating a potential threat of over exploitation to the forest resources. But, judicious use of NTFPs may provide a regular source of income & employment to a large section of the society across age group in the district.