Forest cosmetics potential
Cosmetics is an important industry of globe and an important sector in our country.
As a matter of fact,
Jammu and Kashmir is jewel of country and having lush green forests which are home to diverse flora and fauna. The growing tendency of developing cosmetics from forest wealth can be a good news for forest communities in our region .
Globally, we know that the demand for natural cosmetic and beauty products is good news for forest communities. Growth in natural cosmetics industries is at almost 10 per cent per year. This is providing forest communities with livelihood opportunities and also spurred interest in sustainability.
The expert pulse is if one is interested in natural cosmetic products, ones that support local communities and don’t deplete our natural resources, you aren’t alone! During the last decade or so the extent of natural ingredients used by the cosmetics industry has increased.
In order to tap into this market to raise the income of rural, forest communities worldwide, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) network examined some of the different, forest-derived beauty products, which have been used since antiquity in traditional practices and trade in various Asian and Pacific countries.
Since there was no comprehensive publication on beauty products based on forest products, although scattered information does exist, FAO and the NTFP-EP also published Naturally Beautiful: Cosmetic and Beauty Products from Forests, to bring attention to the role forests play in supplying beauty products and show how these products can provide livelihood options for forest communities.
We hope same potential would be explored and tapped in Jammu and Kashmir.