industries of Arunachal Pradesh, India

The State of Arunachal Pradesh is an abode for a wide array of aromatic and medicinal plants. Many of the aromatically important species are highly threatened due to the loss of natural habitat and over exploitation. Recovery of natural populations is an important approach in the conservation of threatened species. Plants are used by the local people as per their requirements. In T awang district of Arunachal Pradesh, a traditional technique of Agarbathi making has been developed by the people of Monpa community. They use the plant bark of Juniperus r ecurva, Aquilaria malaccensis, Litsea sebifera, Cinnamomum caudatum, C. bejolghota , leaves of Artemisia nilagirica as well as Juniperus recurva. They collect the resources from the surrounding natural forest and make the Agarbatti as per their traditional techniques needs. These incense sticks are very much used in monasteries/ Gompa. The study highlights the major characteristics, potentials and constraints of the incense sticks industry as well as the plant materials which are used viz., wood, bark, leaves, flowers, resin, gum etc. The policy and socio- economic issues prevailing in this sector are also reviewed and areas for suitable interventions identified. The main objective of the study was the survey, selection and identification of the plants, their utilization in the manufacturing of Agarbathi as well as to identify the plants, which are specifically used for extraction of the natural fragrance. It was also one of the important objectives to find out the prospects and constrains of the industry in Arunachal Pradesh for an environment friendly venture of income for the economic upliftment and sustainable livelihood.