Forest Resource Use Pattern in Fringe Villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park of Khangchendzonga Landscape, India

A high dependence on forest resources (Resource Dependence Index: 0.60) was observed in fringe villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park within Khangchendzonga Landscape, India, with significant disparities in resource use patterns between villages. While Alnus nepalensis is the preferred fuel species (probability of use: 0.791), Rhododendron arboreum remains underutilized (probability: 0.09). Selective harvesting of preferred medicinal plants and wild edibles, such as Yushania maling, exacerbates pressure on specific plant groups despite their limited availability for broader uses like fuelwood. The study, based on interviews with 233 households and market surveys, highlights a critical gap between resource demand and production, suggesting potential over-extraction from reserve forests. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation policies to balance ecosystem sustainability with local livelihoods.

Chettri, S. K., Sharma, G., Gaira, K. S., Pandey, A., Joshi, R., Chettri, N., & Pradhan, B. K. (2021). Forest Resource Use Pattern in Fringe Villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park of Khangchendzonga Landscape, India. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2021, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8856988