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.

Forests of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have a rich diversity of valuable non-timber forest products (NTFP) that local communities extract for their sustenance and income. The region is home to over 60% of species recognized for novel bio-medicinal properties in the Indian Himalayas. There is significant national and international demand for these species, providing income and employment for more than 60% of the population of J&K. Despite this, NTFP are not adequately recognized for their contributions to rural livelihoods and the regional economy due to the lack of appropriate policy and governance mechanisms. In this study, we embrace a bioresource vision to examine challenges and opportunities for transition to a sustainable bioeconomy in J&K. Selected NTFP were considered for valuation to showcase their bioeconomy potential using two approaches. First, we used the ‘market price method’ to estimate the contribution of NTFP to the local economy. Second, the ‘maximum willingness to pay method’ was used to project the bioeconomy potential of NTFP in the region. The analysis reveals that local communities’ revenues could increase by as much as 18 times their current price with appropriate actions to include NTFP. However, to realize this potential, policies and governance frameworks based on increased access and benefit sharing with inclusive institutional models would support the transition of the local economy into a bioeconomy. Fostering public–community partnership by improving the local participation of producers and processors in NTFP value chains for overcoming the existing governance barriers is needed.

This paper deals with the exploration of traditional knowledge pertaining to medicinal plants among tribal communities of Bangus valley of Kashmir Himalaya, India. The study reveals that 75 species of plants belonging to 44 families were used as traditional medicine by Gujjar communities for curing several diseases in the area. The information was collected from local dwellers of several different professions, practicing herbalists, reliable hakims (local traditional healers) and elderly people through group discussion and personal interactions. Botanical name, vernacular name, habit, family, altitudinal range, part used, ailments and prescription of these plant species were collected and enlisted.

The objective of this study was to standardize the in-situ vegetative propagation protocol for Taxus baccata Linn. Therefore, a field tested FRI-Wire Technique, Air Layering and root promoting hormones such as Indole 3 - Butyric Acid (IBA), Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and Napthelene Acetic Acid (NAA) at concentration of 1000 parts per million (ppm), 2500 ppm and 5000 ppm for each were evaluated. Air layering performed poorly on this species, whereas, FRI-Wire technique showed a remarkable success for rooting with hormones IBA and IAA at 1000 ppm and 2500 ppm concentrations, on all the three branch length sizes 22-28 cm, 30-36 cm and 45-51 cm. However, the branch sizes of 30-36 cm, when treated with IBA at 2500 ppm concentration performed significantly better and produced 86.66 percent rooting in comparison to other treatments with the technique. Henceforth, FRI-Wire technique can be effectively adopted for mass multiplication of this valuable species.