Utilization pattern of forest resources: Evidence from the fringe villages of Manas National Park, Northeast India

Research reveals that fuelwood is the most critical forest resource utilized by ethnic communities living near Manas National Park, with Bodo people leading in resource consumption. The study identified 110 plant species across 60 families, highlighting herbs and leaves as the primary life forms and plant parts used. Notably, Azadirachta indica exhibited the highest frequency of local use (85.9%), while Dillenia indica showed the highest preference ratio (73.02%). The findings were derived from a mixed-method approach involving structured and semi-structured questionnaires, along with face-to-face interviews conducted among five ethnic groups: Bodo, Assamese, Nepali, Adivashi, and Bengali. This study provides critical insights into the resource utilization patterns of fringe villages, which can inform conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Talukdar, S. (2022). Utilization pattern of forest resources: Evidence from the fringe villages of Manas National Park, Northeast India. Ecology, Environment and Conservation, S39–S44. https://doi.org/10.53550/eec.2022.v28i06s.006