Conservation

Forests and their ecosystems are essential for the adivasi way of life and for NTFPs. Community based knowledge and use have ensured that forests have remained protected from other industrial pressures. However, there are aspects of growing adivasi populations, shrinking habitats and disappearance of species that are important in today’s scenario. The network would address these issues putting adivasis community in the centre and the prime players to undertake conservation efforts. Specifically,

1. Indigenous practices, medicines, food and subsistence NTFP – documentation and promotion
2. Assessment of NTFPs and their populations
3. Sustainable harvesting, customary practices and beliefs
4. Restoration of forests & species through nurseries and planting
5. Recognise and support community conservation efforts – eg. Sacred groves
6. Community capacity building to make `barefoot ecologists’ and monitoring /recording changes
7. Building knowledge and expertise in this field