Joint forest management: A study of West Bengal in India

Abstract

The execution of Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a paradigm shift in the history of Indian forest conservation policy. Joint Forest Management is a strategy in which Forest Department and forest fringe dwellers jointly engage in protection of forests as well as sharing of benefits from forests. West Bengal is the pioneer state in India for the successful achievement of Joint Forest Management. The first successful model of Joint Forest Management in India is known as the ARABARI MODEL, started in 1972 in Paschim Medinipur District in West Bengal. As on 31st March 2009, the total forest area under Joint Forest Management in West Bengal has been recorded as 557,063.13 hectares. An attempt has been made in the present paper to analyze the nature of community participation in Joint Forest Management in West Bengal. The conflicting issues emerged from Joint Forest Management in the study area has also been explored in this paper. Finally an endeavor has been made in this paper to formulate effective proposals to resolve these conflicting issues. The study has revealed that the adoption of Joint Forest Management in West Bengal ensures protection of forests through significant community participation in forest conservation and generates rural employment and income. However the Joint Forest Management has achieved limited success in establishing traditional rights of the indigenous people over forest resources.