Joint Forest Management

In 1988, the formulation and adoption of the National Forest Policy highlighted the role of participation of dependent communities in the sustainable utilization, management and regeneration of forests. Through this, the concept of Social or Participatory Forest Management (JFM) came about.

• JFM is based upon a “co-management” and “give-and-take” relationship between the two major stakeholders- Village communities and the forest department, mediated in most cases by an NGO. The forest department sets the objectives of forest management under the JFM programme while the management responsibilities and benefits form the forest are expected to be shared by the village communities and forest department. This approach has changed the role of government agencies from authoritarian regulators to simply facilitators and managers, allowing the local community leeway in managing their resource.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issued detailed guidelines in 1990 for people’s involvement in forest conservation and management through appropriate village level organizations. In the year 2000-2001, the MoEF initiated a new pilot scheme undertaking integrated afforestation and eco-development activities under a new set-up named Forest Development Agency (FDA), with the objective of providing technical, policy and marketing support to JFM; ensuring direct flow of funds from the Government sponsored forestry development schemes to the implementing agencies, i.e. JFM’s; provide sustainable, assured employment opportunities to tribal and other forests dependent communities. In a supporting circular issued in 2002, the MoEF further strengthened the JFM programme by providing legal status through registration of JFM committees. Also the following rules were laid down: (1) Women should constitute 50% of the membership of the general body and at least 33% of the Executive Committee; (2) JFM may cover good forest area; (3) The working plan should have a JFM overlapping working circle with flexible guideline for preparation of JFM micro-plans.

The forest departments must be more flexible in its approach towards communities and villagers. The gap in communication of needs and grievances must be bridged by the NGOs working in the area, in addition to their role as monitors of activities undertaken by the JFM and the forest department.

The JFM scheme is not tenured in nature, i.e. there is no guaranteed continuation of the scheme to the people. This lack of assurance is a deterrent to the community’s role as conservers and protectors of forests. The government needs to adequately incentivise the communities, to ensure their participation.