Conservation implications of wild animal biomass extractions in Northeast India

Abstract

We investigated the patterns of wild meat extraction and consumption by indigenous communities in Northeast India. Our respondents hunted at least 134 species of wild animals over the previous year in the villages surveyed and continued to harvest and use wild meat as their cash income increased. These indigenous communities of Northeast India showed an average of 32 to 59% dependency on the forestry sector. Wild meat contributed significantly (up to 25%) to their economies, suggesting previous assessments of dependence on the forestry sector should be reviewed. All sections of the society exploited wild meat equally. As education seems to play a role in reducing wild meat extractions, increased awareness in conservation of natural resources should be promoted.