Decentralised Forest Governance, Institutions and Livelihoods in Odisha - A Study of Evolution of Policy Process and Politics

Abstract

The paper aims to provide an analytical glimpse of the evolution of Forest Policies in Odisha since the post independence era by unraveling the major stages of evolution of such policies. The paper also seeks to explore the issues of Livelihoods which have attained priority while formulating Forest Policies under the different political regime in the State and how such issues are gradually evolved as a part of pro-poor policy process in State Forestry Sector of Odisha. Forest Policies of Odisha since the pre-independence period and even after independence have been passed through different stages in which the involvement of State and Non-State actors is seen as a crucial determinant factor. The process also paved the way for the emergence of neo-political order and has opened the era of integration between the State and Non-State actors in the State forest policy process. Policy process as a Political Process has also received enormous attention from different corners. However, the policy process in the State Forestry Sector has not only undermined the Livelihood issues of Forest Dependent Communities but also has become a source of deprivation of Livelihoods of the communities in different period of time. Nonetheless, the issues of Livelihoods have drawn significant attention since the 90s when the Participatory Forest Management regime emerged and further flourished in 2006 when the Forest Rights Act came and implemented in the State. The present paper is a product of the ongoing research work of entitled “Decentralised Forest Governance, Institutions and Livelihoods in Odisha-A Study of Evolution of Policy Process and Politics”. The paper is based on the analysis of Secondary Data, review of Literature and discussion with key informants, which has been focused the major policy specific developments in the State Forestry Sector while specifically looking into the developments under different Governments. Decision making processes of the Formulation and Implementation of Forest Policies have been highlighted in the paper by throwing a light on the key influencing factors in such decisions. The paper concludes with a summary of findings of major forest policies in the State and their implications on Livelihoods of Forest Dependent Communities in Odisha.