The Chhattisgarh certification Society For Non Wood Forest Produces including Medicinal Aromatic and Dye Plants (CGCERT), has been registered (Registration no. 405) as an autonomous and independent society under the Madhya Pradesh Society Registration Act, 1973 (serial no. 44 of year 1973) on 18th of September, 2003 as an outcome of the “ Workshop on Certification of Non-Wood Forest Produce including Medicinal, Aromatic and Dye Plants.” organized on April 9, 2003 at Raipur, organized by the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (trading and development) Co-operative Federation Limited and the Chhattisgarh Forest Department .This workshop marked an important day in the history of management of non-wood forest produce in the state of Chhattisgarh.

During the workshop, it was recommended and decided to establish an independent and autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act consisting of representatives from various stakeholder groups such as primary forest produce gatherers, primary societies, medicinal, aromatic and dye plants growers and traders, industries and pharmaceutical companies, research and development institutions and other experts, autonomous bodies and individuals. The aforesaid Society has been constituted with an aim to undertake certification of non-wood forest produce including medicinal, aromatic and dye plants in the state of Chhattisgarh, which may be extended throughout the country. Initially, some of species and their products will have to be short listed and prioritized on their large-scale availability, economic value, medicinal value, high market demand and marketability.