In many tropical countries, extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFP) is a major occupation of scores of forest-dependent communities. In India alone, it is estimated that about 50 million people depend upon NTFP for their livelihoods. A substantial proportion of their additional cash income, often up to 60 per cent, is derived from harvesting the NTFP. Such huge dependence on NTFP, however, can have manifold ecological consequences from the level of genes to the entire ecosystem. While several attempts have been made to address the consequences of harvesting NTFP species, few have addressed the genetic consequences. Understanding the genetic consequences could help develop strategies to effectively manage and conserve the NTFP species and their genetic resources. In this chapter, we review studies that have evaluated the impact of harvesting on the genetic diversity of NTFP species using two approaches, namely the disturbance gradient and protected area approach. We discuss the role of protected areas in conserving the genetic resources of NTFP species.