Vol. 1, Issue 7, Part N (2015)

Abstract
Chhattisgarh, endowed with abundant forest resources, possesses a wealth of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that are vital to the livelihoods of many rural and tribal communities. Yet, both societal attitudes and policy frameworks have historically underestimated their significance. In numerous tribal regions, NTFPs constitute the principal means of subsistence and serve as the economic backbone for local populations. Women, especially from diverse tribal groups, are deeply involved in the gathering and marketing of these forest products, resulting in notable income generation for their families. The state’s forests yield a diverse range of major and minor NTFPs-such as sal seeds, tendu leaves, lac, mahua, baheda, harida, amla, and karanj-sourced from a wide array of trees and plants. This overview explores the types and distribution of NTFPs in Chhattisgarh, emphasizing their socioeconomic relevance to indigenous peoples. It also highlights the practical and institutional hurdles faced by villagers during collection, processing, and commercialization, and proposes policy reforms and sustainable strategies to combat resource depletion and ensure equitable benefits for forest-dependent communities.