Abstract

The range of non-timber forest products in India, their present status and value and prospects for their sustainable development and utilization is examined. Attention is focussed on the conflicting demands for these resources and priorities in relation to accepted national policies and social aspirations. There is ample scope for manufacturing value-added products from the conventional non-timber forest products within the policy guidelines. The first need is to have a realistic assessment of locally available resources to avoid a conflict similar to that obtained in Kerala on allocation of bamboo-reed amongst competing users. Other important aspects that need attention are (1) planning for tie-up between raw-material availability and processing capacity and location, (2) building up necessary infrastructure for exploitation, including capital, and (3) building up institutional support and techno-managerial advisory service