A new study by Nagaland University has identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) used by tribal communities across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya. The research highlights how forest-based products support household food security, traditional healthcare, local markets and supplementary income while also contributing to biodiversity conservation.

The study covered 20 villages and 250 households, documenting the collection, seasonal availability, utilisation and economic value of plant- and animal-based NTFPs. The findings show that forest-dependent communities rely on these resources for food, beverages, medicines, household materials and value-added products. Surplus produce is sold in local markets, helping families earn additional income beyond traditional agriculture.

Forest products and rural income

Most of the identified NTFPs were used for nourishment, followed by therapeutic purposes. Other applications included fuel, housing materials, food supplements and decorative products. The study found that bamboo shoots generated the highest annual returns in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was the most common and highest-returning NTFP in Nagaland.

Potential business activities include processing, packaging and marketing products such as bamboo shoots, medicinal plants, wild fruits, spices, mushrooms and other forest-based goods. With suitable training, storage facilities and market access, these products could create new income opportunities for women, youth and other marginalised groups.

Need for sustainable harvesting

The researchers have called for better management of NTFPs through ecological assessments, scientific identification and structured harvesting guidelines. Without proper monitoring, excessive collection can reduce the availability of valuable species and damage the forest ecosystems on which communities depend.

The study documented the plant parts collected, seasonal availability, frequency of collection, time spent during collection trips and distances travelled by villagers. Such information can help authorities and local institutions design harvesting rules that protect regeneration while allowing communities to continue using forest resources.

Sustainable utilisation may include seasonal collection limits, community monitoring, domestication of commercially valuable species, improved processing and local value addition. These measures can help protect biodiversity while increasing the financial returns received by producers.

Importance for policy and conservation

North-East India contains more than 33% of India’s total flora and is home to more than 100 indigenous communities that depend on forest resources for food, medicine and income. Although India has around 3,000 NTFP species, only a small proportion has developed marketability, demonstrating the need for greater research and economic valuation.

The study was published in the Indian Journal of Ecology, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on ecology, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and ecosystem sustainability. The research team included scientists from Nagaland University and other collaborating institutions.

Congratulating the team, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the research could support informed policy decisions, food security and sustainable resource use in the North-Eastern region.

By documenting the economic value of 47 NTFPs, the study provides a strong foundation for community-based forest management. It also shows that conservation and livelihood development do not have to be opposing goals. With responsible harvesting and better market support, Northeast India’s forest resources can continue to benefit both people and nature.

Conclusion

The Nagaland University study highlights the important role that Non-Timber Forest Products play in sustaining tribal livelihoods across Nagaland and Meghalaya. By documenting 47 NTFPs and their economic, nutritional, medicinal and cultural uses, the research demonstrates how forest resources contribute directly to household food security and supplementary income.

At the same time, the findings underline the need for sustainable harvesting, scientific management and stronger market linkages. Community-based monitoring, local processing, value addition and cultivation of commercially important species could help increase incomes while reducing pressure on natural forests. With appropriate policy support and responsible resource management, NTFPs can become an important bridge between biodiversity conservation and livelihood development in Northeast India.

FAQs

1. What are Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)?

Non-Timber Forest Products are biological resources collected from forests without harvesting timber. They include products such as bamboo shoots, medicinal plants, wild fruits, spices, mushrooms, fibres and other plant- or animal-based resources used for food, medicine, household needs and income generation.

2. How many forest products were identified in the Nagaland University study?

The study identified 47 Non-Timber Forest Products used by tribal communities across villages in Nagaland and Meghalaya.

3. How do NTFPs support tribal livelihoods in Northeast India?

NTFPs provide food, traditional medicines, household materials and supplementary income. Surplus forest products can also be sold in local markets or processed into value-added products, creating additional livelihood opportunities.

4. Which NTFPs generated the highest economic returns?

According to the study, bamboo shoots generated the highest annual returns in Meghalaya, while wild black pepper was among the most commonly collected and highest-returning NTFPs in Nagaland.

5. Why is sustainable harvesting of NTFPs important?

Unsustainable or excessive collection can reduce the availability of valuable forest species and affect biodiversity. Sustainable harvesting practices, seasonal collection rules, community monitoring, domestication and scientific management can protect forest resources while supporting local livelihoods.

Organised in collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the programme aims to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between India and Japan by supporting collaborative research, workshops and seminars.

Eligible Indian scientists and researchers can submit proposals for Joint Research Projects as well as Joint Workshops and Seminars. Applications are open from 15 June 2026 to 3 September 2026 and must be submitted through the official DST electronic project management system.

DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026: Key Highlights

• Programme: India–Japan Cooperative Science Programme (IJCSP) 2026
• Organisations: Department of Science and Technology (DST), India and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• Application Start Date: 15 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 3 September 2026
• Opportunities: Joint Research Projects and Joint Workshops/Seminars
• Project Duration: Joint research projects may be supported for up to two years
• Application Mode: Online
• Official DST Portal: onlinedst.gov.in

Six Priority Areas for Scientific Cooperation

The DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026 call covers six major areas of scientific research. Researchers can submit collaborative proposals in the following disciplines:

Collaborative projects may explore fields such as advanced materials, biotechnology, clean and renewable energy, computational modelling, engineering systems, climate and earth sciences, agriculture and emerging technologies.

Objective of the India–Japan Cooperative Science Programme

The India–Japan Cooperative Science Programme is designed to establish and strengthen long-term research relationships between scientists and institutions in India and Japan.

A key requirement of the programme is bilateral participation. Indian researchers are expected to develop their proposals in collaboration with eligible Japanese researchers affiliated with institutions recognised by JSPS.

Projects should demonstrate that cooperation between the Indian and Japanese research teams will provide clear scientific advantages and contribute meaningfully to the proposed research.

Through such collaboration, participating researchers can benefit from:

• Exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise
• Access to specialised research facilities
• Collaborative experiments and studies
• Development of international research networks
• Opportunities for young scientists and researchers
• Long-term institutional partnerships

The programme also encourages researchers to combine complementary expertise and infrastructure available in both countries.

Joint Research Projects under IJCSP 2026

Under the programme, Indian and Japanese researchers can jointly propose scientific research projects.

Joint research projects may receive support for a period of up to two years, subject to the programme guidelines and approval process.

Applicants should clearly define the research problem, scientific objectives, methodology, responsibilities of both research teams and expected outcomes.

Proposals should also explain why international collaboration is important for the success of the project and how the expertise of researchers from both countries will complement each other.

Joint Workshops and Seminars

Apart from research projects, the programme also supports joint workshops and seminars involving Indian and Japanese researchers.

These activities are intended to promote:

• Exchange of scientific ideas
• Discussion of emerging research areas
• Networking among researchers
• Identification of new areas for collaboration
• Development of future joint research proposals

Workshops and seminars can be particularly useful for researchers and institutions seeking to establish new academic partnerships between India and Japan.

Who Can Apply for DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026?

The call is intended for eligible Indian scientists and researchers holding regular positions in recognised institutions.

Applicants may include researchers working in:

• Universities
• Academic institutions
• National research and development laboratories
• Recognised scientific organisations
• Other eligible research institutions

The Indian applicant must collaborate with an appropriate Japanese research partner affiliated with a university or research organisation recognised by JSPS.

Applicants should carefully check the official programme guidelines to confirm institutional eligibility, researcher qualifications and other conditions before submitting a proposal.

Importance of a Strong India–Japan Research Partnership

Since the programme is based on bilateral scientific cooperation, applicants should begin communicating with potential Japanese collaborators well before the application deadline.

A competitive proposal should clearly establish:

• The expertise of both research teams
• Individual responsibilities of the Indian and Japanese researchers
• The scientific value of the collaboration
• Research methodology and work plan
• Expected research outputs
• Proposed timeline
• Benefits for participating institutions
• Long-term potential of the partnership

Applicants should demonstrate that the proposed research would benefit substantially from collaboration between India and Japan rather than being carried out independently by either team.

How to Apply for DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026

Eligible researchers can submit their applications through the official DST online portal.

Applicants should:

1. Visit onlinedst.gov.in.
2. Locate the relevant DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026 Call for Proposals.
3. Read the official eligibility criteria and programme guidelines carefully.
4. Coordinate with the Japanese research partner and finalise the joint research plan.
5. Prepare the proposal according to the prescribed format.
6. Clearly mention the scientific objectives, methodology, expected outcomes and responsibilities of both teams.
7. Upload all required documents.
8. Submit the completed application through the designated electronic system before 3 September 2026.

Researchers are advised not to wait until the final date to complete the submission, particularly where institutional approvals or documents from the Japanese collaborator may be required.

What Should a Strong Research Proposal Include?

Researchers applying under the programme should prepare a clear and well-structured proposal.

Important elements may include:

• Background of the research problem
• Research objectives
• Proposed methodology
• Scientific significance of the project
• Expertise of the Indian and Japanese research teams
• Division of responsibilities
• Research timeline
• Expected results and deliverables
• Benefits of bilateral collaboration
• Potential long-term research impact

The proposal should clearly communicate how the collaboration will create scientific value and strengthen research links between the two countries.

Strengthening India–Japan Scientific Cooperation

India and Japan have continued to strengthen cooperation across science, technology, innovation and higher education. Initiatives such as the India–Japan Cooperative Science Programme provide researchers with opportunities to build international partnerships and undertake collaborative scientific work.

The DST–JSPS IJCSP programme can also support the exchange of expertise, development of research networks and creation of new opportunities for young scientists.

By bringing together researchers with complementary capabilities, such programmes can contribute to advances in areas ranging from materials and biotechnology to computational science, engineering, climate research and other emerging fields.

DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026 Application Deadline

Researchers interested in participating in the programme should complete their applications by 3 September 2026.

Because proposals require collaboration with a Japanese research partner, applicants should begin preparing the research plan, institutional documentation and bilateral work structure as early as possible.

Eligible researchers should refer to the official DST notification and detailed programme guidelines before submitting their applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026 programme?

The DST–JSPS India–Japan Cooperative Science Programme (IJCSP) 2026 is a bilateral research initiative jointly supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. It supports collaborative scientific research, workshops and seminars involving researchers from India and Japan.

2. What is the last date to apply for DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026?

The last date for submitting proposals under the DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026 call is 3 September 2026. Applications opened on 15 June 2026.

3. Which research areas are eligible under IJCSP 2026?

Proposals are invited in six areas: Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Science and Agriculture, Mathematics and Computational Science, Astronomy and Earth Science, and Materials and Engineering.

4. Is a Japanese research partner mandatory for the programme?

Yes. The programme is designed specifically for bilateral India–Japan scientific collaboration. Indian applicants are therefore required to work with an eligible Japanese researcher affiliated with a university or research institution recognised by JSPS.

5. How can researchers apply for DST–JSPS IJCSP 2026?

Eligible Indian researchers should visit the official DST portal at onlinedst.gov.in, access the IJCSP 2026 call documents, prepare the proposal in the prescribed format and submit it through the designated electronic project management system before the deadline.