Socioeconomic dynamics of non-timber forest products: a gendered analysis of livelihoods in forest-fringe communities in central Highlands Biogeographic Zone of India

This study examines the socioeconomic factors influencing household income from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Jharkhand’s Central Highlands, India, with a focus on gendered patterns of use. Data from 387 tribal households across 62 villages, complemented by focus group discussions and transect walks (2019–2020), reveal that women respondents account for over 70% of NTFP collectors, underscoring their central role in forest-based livelihoods. The study focuses on three key NTFPs, lac (Kerria lacca), mahua (Madhuca longifolia), and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and applies Resource Utilization Theory to analyze how forest proximity, household labor, and transport costs shape income. Regression models (R2 = 0.47; p