Extraction, processing and marketing of NTFPs provide off-farm and off season employment to the rural and tribal people. Communities located in and around the forests deriving their five 'F' requirements viz., food, fodder, fuel, fruit and fibre from the forests. Labour contribution by the rural women in the forestry activities is significant. The rural women are largely dependent on local forest products like Muttala leaves, pongamia seeds, fruits, gums, fuelwood, raw material for basket and brooms for their livelihood. Participation of the rural women was observed high in the processing, storage, preservation and marketing activities than in the NTFP collection.