Economic impact of non timber forest products on tribes of Chhattisgarh

The present paper attempts to examine thecollection, consumption, selling, income and employment and also disposal pattern of major NTFPs by forest dwelling tribes in Chhattisgarh. The sample of 240 respondents was selected through multistage sampling technique from state. The study revealed thaton an average 1110.22 Kg. of NTFPs were collected and out of those only 5.02 per cent was consumed and rest was sold in the market. While average largest collected NTFP was Sal seed 29.31 per cent of collection followed by Mahua flower and Tamarind with 28.89 per cent and 13.07 per cent respectively. The lowest share of collection was by Honey with only 0.75 per cent out of total collection in Chhattisgarh. The disposable pattern of NTFPs in state was showed that 53.44 per cent of the sold quantities of NTFPs are traded to minor forest produce society (MFPS) followed by village merchant and directly to consumer with 35.15 and 11.41 per cent respectively for total quantity of 1054.43 Kg. for Chhattisgarh.