ROLE OF RAJAS SANGH AND FOREST DEPARTMENT IN PROCUREMENT AND MARKETING OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON TENDU LEAVES IN RAJASTHAN

G.L. MEENA¹*, PHOOL CHAND MEENA², B.S. BHIMAWAT³, VINOD KUMAR VERMA^4
1Department of Agricultural Economics and Management, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan
²College of Agriculture, Sumerpur, Pali, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, 342304, Rajasthan
³College of Agriculture, Sumerpur, Pali, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, 342304, Rajasthan
⁴Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, 303328, Rajasthan
* Corresponding Author : glmeena2016@gmail.com

Received : 27-08-2016     Accepted : 07-09-2016     Published : 30-10-2016
Volume : 8     Issue : 52       Pages : 2548 - 2552
Int J Agr Sci 8.52 (2016):2548-2552

Keywords : Forest, Procurement, Marketing, Non-Timber Forest Produces, Tendu.
Academic Editor : Sudhanand P Lal
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : None declared
Author Contribution : None declared

The present study was conducted on Rajas Sangh and Forest Department in procurement and marketing of NTFPs with special emphasis on tendu leaves in Rajasthan. The study was based on secondary data. The results of the study revealed that variety of NTFPs species gathered by the tribal people to sustain their livelihood in the state of Rajasthan. In order to avoid exploitation of people by traders, there are 20 NTFPs for which minimum support prices were fixed by RAJAS Sangh. Minimum support prices were increased over the time period, it was highest for Buchanania lanzan–A followed by Buchanania lanzan–B, Dataura stramonium, Sapindus trifolatus, Pongamia pinnata, Emblica officinalis, Cassia tora, Honey, Jatropha curcus, Madhuca indica (seed), Terminalia bellerica and Madhuca indica (flower). The procurement of quantity of minor forest produces by RAJAS Sangh was significantly decreased from 13333.07 quintals in the year 2007-08 to 3641.47 quintals in the year 2013-14. The collection units of Diospyrus melanoxylon (tendu leaves) were declined from 226 (year 1995-96) to 168 (year 2015-16) while its collection rate per standard bag was increased from Rs. 250 to Rs. 750 during the same period. About 172 collection units and 1389 collection centres (Phad) were distributed across the six forest divisions viz., Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bharatpur for tendu leaves. Among the divisions, Kota and Udaipur divisions were dominant in distribution of collection units and collection centres. The income generated to state from tendu leaves were increased while its production was decreased during the reference period. Rajasthan Forest Department and Government of Rajasthan must undertake plantation of the NTFPs and medicinal plant species in the state in order to maintain ecological balance of the region and to sustain rural livelihoods.