Estimation of quantity and economic benefits flowing from non-timber forest products: A study from valsad north and south forest divisions of Gujarat State, India

The diversity and quantity of NTFPs in any area can provide the availability of economic benefits flowing from the NTFPs. So, in the current study, an attempt has been carried out to know the total quantity of collection and total economic benefits of NTFPs existing in Valsad North Forest Division (VNFD) and Valsad South Forest Division (VSFD). An analysis of the surveyed information and its findings revealed that VNFD and VSFD collectively, housed total 24 types of NTFPs (23 of vegetal products and 1 from the animal product) which has a total quantity of 10643610.6 kg annum⁻¹ and 7581813 bundle annum⁻¹ (leaves) of Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. The monetary value of these NTFPs was assessed to be Rs. 230.4 lakhs annum⁻¹ which contributed to the economies of two forest division i.e. VNFD and VSFD. Therefore, the study revealed that the economic benefits and NTFPs diversity may affect the subsistence and daily consumption of forest dwellers living in forest areas of VNFD and VSFD.