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.

The study investigated the extent of live-lihood dependency on forest, socioeconomic characteristics and their relationship with forest dependency in indigenous people of Bundu block in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. The sample for the study was drawn by multi-stage random sampling technique. The data were collected through personal interviews, direct observations, semi-structure interview with key informants and focus group discussion. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to ascertain the relationships between the livelihood dependen-cy on forest in the indigenous households and their socioeconomic characteristics. Results re-veal that the small timber, fuelwood, fodder, sal leaf, lac and tooth brush are the main income generation sources backing up the livelihood needs of the target population. The forest acts as the second prime contributor to livelihoods. The indigenous people are in underprivileged condition with respect to their socioeconomic characteristics. Among the socioeconomic char-acteristics of the indigenous households, educa-tion, social participation, family composition, main occupation, housing status, farm power, farm implements, livestock possession, wealth status and gross annual income had exhibited positively significant correlation with the liveli-hood dependency on forest and age and size of land holding have non-significant association with the livelihood dependency on forest. All the socioeconomic characteristics of the indigenous people put together had contributed to 70.05% (R²= 0.705) variation on the livelihood depend-ency on forest. Further, among these variables, only family composition exercised positive and significant contribution on livelihood dependen-cy on forest. The findings and perspective of the study could be crucial bases in planning and ad-ministration of innovative interventions through various rural developmental installations for all-round development of the indigenous people.

Performance of two fodder crops namely, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated with Willow (Salix alba L.) to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley. The experiment was laid out by planting two year old willows at 2.0m × 2.0m spacing and dividing the main plot into sub-plots of size 8m × 2m each with 5 replications in randomized block design (RDB). The intercrops of sorghum and maize were maintained at 20cm × 10 cm spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The economics of the willow plantation intercropped with fodder crops was compared with sole willow farming by the benefit-cost ratio and net present worth. The study revealed the differential behaviour of Salix alba regarding growth parameters (height, diameter and girth) by different intercrops and various fodder intercrops with respect to yield, above ground biomass, dry matter production and soil nutrient status (pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The willow based silvopastoral system was estimated to have benefit-cost ratio of 2.71 with maize and 2.68 with sorghum, while as sole crop the willows accrued a benefit-cost ratio of 2.66. The study is useful in discovering growth of willows, productivity of fodder crops and soil nutrient status under various silvopastoral agroforestry systems for maximizing economic gains. The findings envisaged evidences in favour of adopting willow based silvopastoral agroforestry instead of sole tree farming and the knowledge of interactions will be helpful in proper management of the system for sustained multiple productions.

A unique system of short-distance vertical transhumance pastoralism has evolved in the Trans-Himalayan region of Zanskar, Ladakh in response to short summer cropping season and vast alpine pasturelands. Cattle are taken to highland pastures for three-and-a-half month in summer season and kept in temporary settlements locally called as doksa. The study investigated the herding practices, migration pattern, livestock production and livelihood dependence on highland pastoralism. Purposive sampling technique was administered to withdraw the sample of 6 doksas and the data were collected from both secondary and primary sources. Results revealed that 31 herders in the 6 doksas possessed a total of 794 milk producing zhomos. The doksas produced 3 lakh litres of milk, 18000 kg of butter and the same amount of dried protein cake (chhurpey). The herders earned incomes of ₹ 122500.00 and ₹ 59375.00 by trading 300-350 kg of butter and 450-500 kg of chhurpey, respectively with employment opportunities of 3100 woman-days/year. The poor living conditions at doksa and unavailability of alternative economic opportunities for women herders has threatened its continuation for cash generation, food and livelihood security and socioeconomic development. Therefore, livelihood diversification using alternative resources is imperative to keep pace with current development and future challenges.