Applying Design Priniciples for Joint Forest Management in India

Abstract

"JFM makes a beginning to provide communities an access to forest resources and attempts to involve people in protecting and managing forests. Criticisms of JFM, however, have remained confined to issues of decentralization of power to people. While decentralization is an important component and would facilitate community involvement in forest management, several other factors also need to be examined to realistically assess the possibility of successful management of forests by community. Moreover, the program support within JFM should also be modified to suit the specificity of various situations. A successful promotion of community management of forests should be based on a careful examination of the presence of factors that can support or impede community management. This understanding can be used to allocate the limited resources under JFM for maximum returns. Moreover, it should also be recognized that JFM might not lead to any better result in certain situations. And in such situations other possibilities, in combination with JFM or separately should also be considered."