Joint Forest Management

Entry 86

Synopsis: Joint Forest Management is a successful movement of participatory management. Its introduction was a major shift in the history of Indian forestry. In the 1970 a forest officer Dr. Ajit Kumar Banerjee from West Bengal recognized the need for the symbiotic relationship between people and forests. He suggested alliances with local user communities. He started experimenting this at Arabari, in the district of Midnapore in west Bengal. In recognition of the success of Arabari Experiment the Ministry of environment and Forests of the Government of India issued to the other State Governments to adopt the idea of joint forest management in 1990.

Shot on location in the forest of west Midnapore, this programme highlights some successful example of the implementation of Participatory Forest Management Programme. This movement has regenerated the depleted forest, generated a source of income and thus improved the socio economic conditions of the fringe area rural people.