Genesis:

West Bengal pioneered Joint Forest Management in India with the famous Arabari pilot project in Midnapore district by rejuvenating a patch of degraded forest, in 1972. About 618 families living in 11 villages of Arabari, lying in the fringe, voluntarily protected these forests when in return they were assured provision of fuel wood and fodder from the regenerated forest and employment in forestry activities.In 1987 these villagers were declared as beneficiaries for these rejuvenated forests and granted 25% share from the revenue earned from final harvest.

The Movement:

Founded on the principle of sharing of duties, responsibility as well as the usufructs from the forest with the participation and involvement of the local people living in the fringe areas of the forests.

• Implementation through Forest Protection Committee (FPC) with participation of locals.

• Movement expanded with Participatory Forest Management covering the forests of South Bengal covering 38% of the state.

• The movement spread to North Bengal, and Sundarbans in 1991.

Achievements:

• South Bengal has 3253 registered FPC with 347953 members protecting an area of 3829 sq. Km

• North Bengal has 282 registered FPCs with 34925 members protecting 876 sq. km

• Sundarban has 10 registered FPCs with 3875 members protecting 176 sq. Km. of mangrove forest.

• FOREST PROTECTION COMMITTEES IN WEST BENGAL

• Eco-Development Committees in West Bengal as on 31.03.2005

• Performance of Consolidation of Joint Forest Management in South West Bengal and FPC share released from final harvest
  

Directorate | viewstate | JFM | Research | Contact Us | Forest Act |forest | bio-diversity | eco-tourism | soil conservation
| GIS | picture gallery | disclaimer | site map |Important links