Forest Dependency And Sustainability Of Forest Resources: Evidence From Rural Odisha

The forest has been recognized as an important source of livelihood for the people living in rural areas in general and the forest fringe villages in particular. They collect different types of forest products from the forest. But the often collection of some products (more than their growth) affects the sustainability of the resources. This is a study from three forest villages (near Simlipal National Park), of Mayurbhanj, Odisha where even people of villages from the core area of Simlipal Tiger Reserve, are rehabilitated. The study finds high forest dependency of the people in all the three villages. It also finds evidence of un-sustainability of forest resources by the collection of forest products by the local people.