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From Lao-ntfpwiki
"Biological diversity is one of the pillars of life. It stabilises the Earth's climate and renews soil fertility. It provides millions of people with livelihoods, helps to ensure food security, and is a rich source of both traditional medicines and modern pharmaceuticals. It is essential to our efforts to relieve suffering, raise standards of living and achieve the Millennium Development Goals UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (24 January 2005)
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Welcome to the Lao Non-Timber Forest Products Wiki
This wiki has been created to allow all NTFP lovers (and those just learning about NTFPs) an opportunity to learn more and contribute to the growing body of knowledge about NTFPs in Lao.
Lao people of all ethnicities have been using, managing, protecting Non-timber forest products for hundreds of years. NTFPs are a key component to all aspects of life in Laos and most Lao people can name hundreds of different types of NTFPs and their uses. NTFPs provide an important source of nutrition and food security to the vast majority of rural people in Laos. They are also an important source for medicines and products used for everyday use. NTFPs are also a key part of the rich biological diversity found in Laos.
What are non-timber forest products
NTFPs include all the materials (excluding timber) collected from natural or man-made forests and riverine habitats and used to support local livelihoods. These include items such as forest and aquatic vegetables, fruit, traditional medicine products, wild animals and aquatic organisms such as fish, mollusks, insects and crustaceans. While the term NTFP implies non-timber items, it does include wood products for home construction, fuel wood and charcoal and handicraft products. NTFPs can even be non-organic items like scrap metal from bombs and airplanes
In Laos 757 plants and 150 animals have been identified as NTFPs, but the real figure is probably four or five times higher. Most are in daily use among rural people and some are nationally important for their commercial value. Many of these NTFPs are also in danger of disappearing from over-harvesting, destruction of ecosystems and the rapid changes being undertaken in Laos. Thus, one of the main goals of this wiki is conserve Lao knowledge, culture and customs related to NTFP use.
How to use this wiki
The NTFPs at this wiki are organised into 7 categories:
1. Food
2. Medicine
3. Fiber
4. Extract
5. Ornamentals
Within each of these categories there are descriptions of many different NTFPs. You can search by looking under any of these main sections or using the search function on the left hand side navigation bar.
Where to find other information on NTFPs
Information on NTFP use in Laos is extensive. If you are you are interested to find more resources on NTFP use, management and ecology, you can contact the following groups:
National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute : NAFRI has an extensive range of experience and knowledge in NTFP development.
Lao Institute for Medicinal Plants:
BIOTIK Project Phad Tad Ke Botanical Garden
FAO Non-Wood Forest Products Digest: This on-line journal is focusing on issues of note in the world of Non-Wood Forest Products.
SNV/Laos is working on NTFP development particularly in Sangthong district.
WWF has a project on the sustainable management of Rattan
IUCN/Laos had the hallmark NTFP project in the late 1990s in collaboration with Department of Forestry and NAFRI. All their previous information is available on CD.
