Evaluating tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaves production for sustainable livelihood of tribal communities in Jharkhand. Ram Robin Kumar1, Ahmad Firoz1,*, Chattopadhyay Sailesh1, Kerketta Jyotish Kumar1, Dhan Kushmita1, Kumar Abhishek2 1Faculty of Forestry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834006 2ICAR-RCEP, Patna, Bihar (India) *Corresponding Author's Email - firozahmad.01.02.1993@gmail.com
Online published on 3 May, 2025. Abstract Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) was formerly known as minor forest products, the country has approximately 45,000 species of plants. Nearly 3,000 species have been identified to yield NWFPs but only 126 have good marketability due to their better economic returns. Tribes residing in and around Jharkhand forest area are progressively dependent on NTFPs to sustain their livelihood. Tendu leaf one of the good source of economic as well as sustainable livelihood NTFPs for tribes of Jharkhand. The purpose of this study was to investigate the production of Tendu leaf as a non –farm industry income and employment to Jharkhand Tribes. The experiment was conducted during the Tendu production season of April to June 2020. The data was collected by laying out random sample plots in Kuru beat and Peshrar beat of RR Lohardaga A and B territorial Range respectively. There was Ten (10) sample plot of the size 20m X 20m in each beat and from each sample plot. The data was collected on Total number of Tendu plants and its per hectare density, Total number of leaves per plant and Productivity of Tendu leaves per hectare. The study finding revealed that Tendu plant density was significantly higher in undulating conditions (5430 plants/ha) compared to sloppy conditions (4765 plants/ha). The number of Tendu trees and bushes was also greater in undulating areas. Tendu leaf production per hectare was notably higher in undulating conditions (113495 leaves) than in sloppy conditions (82095 leaves), with a similar trend in leaf bundles and standard bags per hectare. Top Keywords Diospyrus melanoxylon Roxb, Leaf Productivity, Minor forest produces. Top |