Assessment of the Potential of Non-timber Forest Products in Livelihoods’ Sustenance of the Flood Proximate Communities of the Indus Basin, Pakistan

Flood-proximate communities are the most affected from destructions caused by floods occurring almost every year in Pakistan. The people these areas, due to frequent natural calamities, usually have poor economic conditions. These mainly rely on conventional income-generating strategies i.e. agriculture, fishing, daily wages etc. But disasters, methods end up yielding least profit, thus different means of income-inducing needed explore for community’s sustainable growth. current study focuses potential Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) region D I Khan supporting livelihoods inhabitants. research utilized a mixed method approach (blend quantitative and qualitative) through semi-structured questionnaire aiming assess livelihood sustenance flood proximate NTFPs. A total 150 respondents were randomly selected 05 administration units, tehsils. results revealed that non-flooded areas (NF) used collecting NTFPs mostly construction material whereas those flooded (F) it as well utensil making (F:41 %; NF: 39%; P<0.05; c2: 0.812). Both groups involved harvesting using shrubs such S. munja, T. latifolia, N. ritchiana, sesban dioca trees E. camadulensis, V. nilotica, D. sissoo firewood cottage industry. significantly meeting their needs income source household expenses efficiently (F: 48%; 100 P<0.01; 12.03). present concludes sector flood-proximate has been neglected profitable strategy this region.