Trouble in Dewas
Deforestation, corruption or politics? The killing of four tribals in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district leaves many questions unanswered
Time to act
The Madhya Pradesh government has recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister seeking changes in the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The …
Seeking Reliance
The Andhra Pradesh government is giving forests that sustain tribal communities to the Reliance group of industries for plantations. That, too, …
Forestland benefits
Under the Lok Vaniki scheme, a farmer can extract benefits from his land by selling its produce, including timber
At loggerheads
While the state government is keen to introduce JFM, villagers say there is no need for that since they have been carrying out all protection …
Message in a baton
The decades after Independence saw rampant destruction of trees. This was followed by years of drought. It was then that the villagers realised …
Case for CFM
COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT — A CASEBOOK FROM INDIA·Joe Human and Manoj Pattanaik·Oxfam Publishing, Oxford·176pp·…
Spreading root
OLD ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS: A STUDY OF JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH·C S Rangachari and S D Mukherji·Winrock International …
Gaps galore
BRANCHING OUT: JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT IN INDIA Nalini Sundar et al • Oxford University Press • New Delhi • 2001 • 289pp
Nepal's poor carry it off
As the Himalayan country's forestry scheme for the poor reaps rich dividends, its government entrusts more degraded areas to the underprivileged. …
Inter-ministerial panel for FRA: A giant step backwards, say experts
Forest experts raise concern over the Union environment ministry assuming central role in matters originally meant for the tribal ministry
Private funds for Madhya Pradesh forests: Beware of legal concerns, warn experts
MP government plans to hand over 37,420 sq km degraded forest to private companies for afforestation
How to plant trees for development
There is no economic value seen in forests, but there is value seen in the development project for which forestland is required
Jharkhand
Most politicians and activists see the Forest Conservation Act as a hurdle towards empowering the tribal population. They want the act amended
Uttaranchal
The process of alienating people from natural resources has not stopped, even with the attainment of statehood
Chattisgarh
Fighting the drought preoccupies the new government. Charting a mining policy to explore the rich mineral deposits is next on the agenda
Chipping away
Time was, when the Saranda forest cover was so dense that even the sun's rays couldn't penetrate it. Ironically, denudation has driven the region …
Poor little rich states
Rich in natural resources but extremely poor, the three new states are in need of a new strategy for development. But no blueprints have been …
Solo Performances
Besides the communities who have done exemplary work in the field of environment, several individuals are making a difference in the lives of …
Hamlets reborn
Although Bhaonta-Kolyala village walked away with the Down To Earth-Joseph C John Award, the judges came across several such communities worthy …
Awarded : Bhaonta-Kolyala
... for reviving the Arvari river, for showing that a healthy ecology and good water management mean prosperity, for proving that drought is a myth
Chhattisgarh revokes: Forest dept no longer nodal agency for community rights
Chhattisgarh government reinstates the role of the forest department to coordinate claims that are to be filed by communities, …
Another Maharashtra village demands community forest rights
Tribal village Pachgaon to follow Mendha Lekha; to hold bamboo sale as protest to gain community forest rights
Is Maharashtra tendu trade rule amendment a trap for gram sabhas?
Forest department's move may be a ploy to retain control over trade in forest produce, say activists
Forest paradox
To give forest dwellers their due rights, forest governance must go beyond the environment and include the communities at stake