Abstract
The forests that India is renowned for are also the source of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that have several important household and commercial uses. Collecting NTFPs is a livelihood option for lakhs of poor households that live on the fringes of these forests, aspect that was well illustrated in the case of Natham, Kanakapura and Mudumalai in the preceding chapters (Chaps. 2 , 3 and 4 ). As a result of this dependence, it is likely that unsustainable harvesting practices emerge resulting in the loss of natural stock (Murthy et al. 2008 ), loss of in situ diversity and consequent undermining of the livelihoods of these communities. Therefore, the management of NTFPs needs policy solutions in order to sustain these resources for both biodiversity and livelihood. However, apart from regulatory measures like permits to harvest and transport as well as access provisions in Scheduled Tribes and other Forest Dwellers Act (2006), there are no effective mechanisms in place. © Springer India 2013. All rights reserved.