In India , out of the total land area of 329 million ha, only 77 million ha are classified as forests. This represents only 22% of the total geographical area as against the recommended forest coverage of 33%. Historically, forests have been providing substantial support to rural economy. Forests form a part of the culture and natural way of life of tribal communities residing within and surrounding forest. Non- Timber Forest Products are the products obtained from forests other than timber. NTFP products are crucial in meeting local communities’ subsistence needs, providing a safety net in times of need and contributing to seasonal income. The contribution of NTFP to the forestry sector in most countries is significant, and in India , NTFPs provide about 40 percent of total official forest revenues and 55 percent of forest-based employment. Nearly 500 million people living in and around forests in India rely on NTFPs as a critical component for their sustenance. Since NTFPs involve a large variety of seasonal products, returns are frequent and relatively continuous. In addition to subsistence and income-generating potential, NTFPs also provide food security to large low-income populations. A high percentage of India ’s Tribal population lives in central India region where forest coverage is 30% of the total geographical area contributing around 20% of the total annual income of the tribal family. CInI envisage to identify key regional NTFPs and promote it as a profitable and viable option for income generation; enhance tribal livelihood and conservation of forest resources.