This project will be carried out in a village in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Due to lack of awareness these forest dependent communities often use unsustainable harvesting practices. The villagers still follow the age-old practices of harvesting the non-wood forest products which normally harms the species concerned. These practices are used due to many reasons such as ignorance, quick returns for the product, greedy collection and lack of knowledge about sustainable harvesting.

This project aims to probe the existing harvest patterns and explore methods of sustainable harvest of non-wood forest products. With help from India’s forest department this team plans to train the grassroots communities in sustainable harvesting practices. These interventions would enhance the forest health and natural regeneration and would contribute towards attaining sustainable forest management in the pilot village. The people in the village will be encouraged to participate in workshops and intensive field study tours.