Assessment of Production and Value Addition Potential of Non-timber Forest Products (including Medicinal Plants) - a Participatory Methodology

'Participatory Rural Appraisal' methodology was used to assess the production and value addition potential of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in two 'People's Protected Areas', Ataria and Amadob in Chhattisgarh, which depend to a large extent on forest products for their economy, income and livelihood and are utilizing these products in their own way. A questionnaire was developed to involve the people in this survey. The results show that there is surplus production of products in these areas and processing can be improved further to develop their economic potential and value addition can be increased to develop income and livelihood in the areas. It is recommended that such studies should be undertaken in other areas with regard to other NTFPs as well, and processing should be based on surplus production, local competence in processing to develop socio-economic sustainability.