Ntfp Collection: a Case Study in Opportunity Costs

The NTFPs have obtained dubious distinction as being both 'safety net' and 'poverty trap'. When people have better employment opportunities, collection of NTFPs become livelihood opportunity of last resort. This was observed in the study area of forest of Chittoor East and Tirupati Wildlife Management Divisions of Andhra Pradesh after implementation of NREGS by the Govt. of India. Thus, the best way to protect forests would be to create better employment opportunities for the forest dependent people nearer to their habitations and reducing dependency on forest resources.