Rattans are one of the main non-wood forest products that provide livelihood for millions of tribal and rural populations in the world. There are 13 genera of rattans comprising about 568 species. During a recent survey 60 species of rattans have been recorded from India. The distributional status in the three regions, the Western Ghats of Peninsular India, Eastern and North Eastern India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands is given. In the context of the rapid decline of rattan bearing forests, conservation measures, both ex situ and in situ to be taken for sustained supplies of canes are suggested. In India, the main fields of research included taxonomic diversity and distribution, nursery, plantation technology, structure, properties and processing, and socioeconomics. This paper examines the present status of the resources and industry along with the major issues in resource availability, conservation, processing and marketing. Some important and immediate actions to be taken are also suggested.
