Indian communities generate income through non timber forest product harvesting

Local community members in Jharkhand, India, are sustaining their livelihoods by gathering non-timber forest products. Mongabay reported that Mamta Tigga, a resident of a village in the Gumla district, collects natural products during seasonal bloom periods to earn a living. [1]

Between February and May each year, collectors gather fallen mahua flowers from the Madhuca longifolia tree. According to Mongabay, residents also harvest gethi kanda, known as air potato, alongside tendu leaves gathered from the Indian ebony tree. [1]

These collection efforts align with broader international initiatives to support local forest stewardship. As HEROIC BREAKING NEWS reported earlier, global donors delivered 2.35 billion dollars between 2021 and 2025 to secure forest rights for Indigenous peoples and local communities, surpassing their original pledge by 35 percent. [1][2]

The international funding commitment was originally launched at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference with a target of 1.7 billion dollars. Local harvesting practices demonstrate how communities secure financial stability while protecting standing forests. [2]