Collection of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods in selected areas around Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

This study shows the Collection of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods in selected areas around Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Forests are an important component for daily life of rural residents living near forested areas. A protected area is a geographically designated area for the purpose of biological conservation. Ayubia National Park (ANP) is a protected area in KPK, Pakistan that was designated with the purpose of management and preservation of nature. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have been defined as "All biological materials, excluding timber, which are extracted from forests for human use". NTFPs play an important role in income generation for indigenous people. Malaach Village, Pasala Village and Khanuspur Town present around ANP were selected study areas. Purposive sampling was used for selection of study areas. Quantitative research was done. Field visits were done for Questionnaire survey. 50 questionnaires were filled from each selected village/town and results were analysed using SPSS. Cross tabulation was done and Chi Square test was applied. It was found that Wild Vegetables, Wild Fruits, Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms are collected from forests in and around ANP by indigenous people. Chi square results showed significant relationship between gender and collection of NTFPs. Poverty is found to be the main reason for collecting NTFPs. Contribution of NTFPs to annual income of people is mostly less than 20% but this contribution is also 21%-40% and even 41%-60% for few people. ANP should be managed properly to inhibit the collection of NTFPs within the park. Indigenous people should cooperate in sustainable collection and use of NTFPs. The role of NTFPs to livelihoods in and around ANP are clearly understood by study and will be useful in the awareness and implementation of the conservation practices in the Ayubia National Park.