Can commercialization of non-timber forest product (NTFP) reduce deforestation in Myanmar?

Abstract

The relationship between non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and deforestation can determine the extent to which the livelihoods of individuals in resource-dependent communities can be sustained and the strategies to conserve the forest for sustainable utilization. Here, the relationship between deforestation and commercial production of the NTFPs from natural forests in Myanmar was examined. We performed multiple regression to predict the deforestation from different type of NTFPs and demographic factors. Population density is the most contributing factors to deforestation while fuel wood production and diversity of wood extractive NTFPs were significant among the different groups of NTFPs to predict deforestation (R²＝0.421, p<001). The commercial production of wood extracts was interestingly found as a promising factor that can reduce deforestation. Shifting the market demand to the extractive products from woody trees can maintain the forests for the sustainable use to secure the rural livelihood. Capacity building on the harvesting skill and processing of the wood extracts become crucial in conservation of the host trees. Market chain analysis of the products in optimizing commercial value of the products as well as information on the resource availability are not the least to be considered in NTFPs commercialization and sustainable forest management.