**5. Conclusion**

The indigenous fringe communities of JNP with their traditional lifestyle relied on NTFPs for their daily subsistence needs and also for permanent source of cash income. The sale of NTFP was contributing 45% on an average to the total annual household income. NTFPs also provided a safety net particularly during the periods of scarcity and filled the gap of food deficit, especially when their subsistence standing crops were destroyed by wild elephants. We documented 146 NTFP species from our study area. In this list, 95 were wild, 24 were cultivated, and 27 species were both wild and cultivated. Some wild plant species were also grown in home gardens, thus aiding the conservation of these species. However, there is very less or no information available for these documented species as 116 species were not assessed or not evaluated, 26 were least concern, and two species were under the data deficit category in the IUCN priority list of species. More research is required to update information on the population status of these NTFP species. Systematic accounting the volume of NTFPs collected/harvested along with cash and noncash income should be initiated. Policies supporting *ex situ* conservation programs through capacity building the communities with improved cultivation techniques of commercially viable NTFP species and value addition of NTFP products will enhance their income and relieve pressure from the forest. Storage, grading, processing, and value addition through linking with existing development schemes should be created or promoted. Institutional intervention is required to empower the communities with information on policy, finance, markets, and products to enable them to trade NTFPs with better returns. Diversification of livelihood options along with education, skill, and basic infrastructure development is also recommended.
