Manipur, Dec. 2 -- Apem Shimray, a youth from Ukhrul district in Manipur, grew up in a remote village sustaining his livelihood from the income that he generated solely from gathering wild food, timber and non-timber in the forests.

An undergraduate student, he discontinued his studies as his poor and aged parents could no afford it. Blessed with five siblings - three sisters and two brothers including him, four of them had already settled down, making him the sole bread earner.

To ensure that his elderly parents didn't suffer for wants of food, he cultivated his plot of paddy fields while also taking up vegetable farming to anchor their livelihood.

He generated approximately Rs7,000 to 8,000 per month from his work. With several local...