The forest-based tribal economy refers to the system of livelihood in which tribal communities depend primarily on forests for their subsistence, income, and cultural identity. Forests have traditionally served as the economic foundation of tribal societies by providing food, shelter, medicine, fuel, fodder, and raw materials for handicrafts. Unlike commercial exploitation, tribal communities have generally maintained a harmonious and sustainable relationship with forests based on customary rights, traditional knowledge, and collective resource management. The economy of forest-dwelling tribes is largely subsistence-oriented. Tribal families collect a variety of forest products to meet their daily needs. Edible roots, tubers, fruits, mushrooms, honey, wild vegetables, fish, and small animals supplement their diet and ensure food security, particularly during periods of agricultural scarcity. Hunting and gathering, although reduced due to legal restrictions and environmental concerns, have historically been important components of their livelihood. Minor Forest Produce (MFP), also known as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), constitutes the backbone of the forest-based tribal economy. These include bamboo, tendu leaves, lac, gums, resins, medicinal plants, mahua flowers, sal seeds, tamarind, chironji, and honey. Tribes collect these products seasonally and sell them in local markets or through cooperatives, earning vital cash income. In many tribal regions of India, MFP contributes significantly to household earnings and supports rural employment. Shifting cultivation, also known as jhum or slash-and-burn cultivation, is another feature of the