Economic role of forests in rural livelihoods in northern Zagros

Zagros forests are not economically important as a source of industrial wood. However, at the local level, non-timber forest products play an important role in supporting rural livelihoods. This study was conducted to examine the financial importance of the different types of livelihood strategies; and investigate non-timber forest products (NTFPs) role in household economy of rural people and forest dwellers. The study was carried in Namehshir district of Kurdistan province, northern Zagros forests, Iran. The results showed that the average annual net income in the sample population was 189,600,000 Rials. Net income from NTFPs that made up 12.3% of the total household net income, contributed the third most important income sources after income from the cross-border trade between Iraq and Iran with 42.5% and government transfer payments with 17.1%. However, NTFPs income was higher than other income sources such as agriculture, horticulture and livestock and has the largest share in subsistence income. Moreover, the study revealed that among all types of NTFPs, livestock grazing in the forest provides the highest income. Oak Manna, tree fodder and oak seed were the next most important sources of NTFPs income for households, respectively. From findings of this research, establishing the participatory forest management and organizing the traditional operations are recommended to ensure sustainability of the forests and the livelihoods of forest dwellers.