Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) play a crucial role in securing livelihoods of
the poor forest dwellers in the state of Chhattisgarh, where 44 per cent of the
geographical area is forest covered. The Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce
Co-operative Federation Limited (CGMFP Federation) has taken various initiatives
for organizing production, collection, processing and marketing of non-nationalised
NTFPs in order to provide additional employment opportunities and thereby
livelihoods to nearly one Million poor forest produce gatherers. Though benefits
generated by this intervention have remained meagre and reached only a small
portion of the population, it should be remembered that the intervention is in its
infant stage and the outcomes and impacts created so far indicate its potential for
positive changes in livelihoods of the poor forest dwellers. The case documents
work done, processes, achievements and challenges in bringing about changes in
the living conditions of poor households.