This study, entitled "The Potential Non Timber Forest Products for Rural Livelihood Support in Tehrathum District of Nepal" was aimed to identify the NTFPs that were potential to support the rural livelihood in the study area. The specific objectives of the study were : To list the NTFPs available in the study area, to assess the livelihood conditions of local people, to identify the potential NTFPs that support the livelihood of local people and to determine the status of selected potential NTFPs.

The study area selected was a CFUG in Tehrathum district. The main characteristic features of the study area were the endowment of a number of NTFP resources and an established market chain for the resources (Basatpur, Eastern Nepal).

The data required to fulfill the objectives of the study were of two types : Resource (NTFPs) data and Socio-economic data. the methods employed for NTFPs data collection were : cumulative listing of the names, participatory mapping, transect walk and resource inventory by plot centered quarter (PCQ) method. the major socio-economic attributes required were : ethnicity, wealth, classes, land, tree and livestock holdings, income status, status of Basic Human Need indicators, CFUG fund, livelihood options etc. The Wealth Ranking, Household Survey, Focus Group Discussion, Triangulation, Direct Observation and stockholder's In-depth Interview were the main tools employed for the collection of these data. The quantitative data were analyzed by statistical means where as attribute (qualitative) data by descriptive measures. The well-developed potentiality criteria were used to screen the potential NTFPs.

The respondents were found to be heterogeneous and the average family size was found to be six. More than half of the sampled respondents were some way unsatisfied with their food, clothing and housing condition. The assessment of livelihood assets and income status revealed that majority of the users were under some sort of deprivation. Agriculture, though was the major livelihood strategy, but was not supporting livelihood of local people as a whole. However, the community was rich in terms of per capita forest resources and CFUGs fund. The forest was a treasury of a greater number of NTFPs, of them Chiraito, Lokta, Allo, Nigalo etc were the major potential NTFPs.

This study, thus, concluded that the NTFPs could serve as an alternative resource for livelihood of local people; since many NTFPs were available for the sustainable harvest. This study recommended the CFUG to have a low interest ' credit' system to their 'poorer members' for the production & management of NTFPs on community land.