Bamboo Craft and Forest Produce Gadchiroli Maharashtra

Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, bordering Bastar Chhattisgarh, has extensive bamboo forests that sustain the traditional craft economy of Madia Gond, Pardhan, and other tribal communities. Bamboo craft includes the production of baskets (tokri), winnowing fans (sup), fish traps, furniture frames, and construction material. The communities also harvest tendu leaves for beedi rolling, mahua flowers and fruit for food and liquor, and char seeds for oil. Forest produce collection from community forest rights (CFR) areas under the Forest Rights Act supports tribal household income. Gadchiroli Bamboo Craft cooperative organises training in high-value handicraft products including decorative wall panels, lamp shades, and gift-ware for urban and export markets. Forest rights and NTFP value addition are central to tribal livelihood programs in Gadchiroli.