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 (<i>Kerria lacca</i>), mahua (<i>Madhuca longifolia</i>), and tamarind (<i>Tamarindus indica</i>) and applies Resource Utilization Theory to analyze how forest proximity, household labor, and transport costs shape income. Regression models (R²  = 0.47; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) identify lac as the most profitable product and highlight how limited market access and spatial inequalities constrain earnings. Despite low awareness of formal development frameworks, NTFP income is routinely invested in food, healthcare, and education, contributing to poverty reduction and well-being (SDGs 1–4). The study recommends strengthening local value chains through cooperatives and processing units, embedding gender-sensitive approaches into forest policies, and integrating NTFP income metrics into rural welfare programs. These findings provide actionable insights for building equitable, sustainable forest – community partnerships in India and similar contexts across the Global South.