Beyond experimentation: Emerging issues in the institutionalization of joint forest management in India

During the last decade, a major initiative for community involvement in the management of state forest lands was started in India in the form of Joint Forest Management (JFM) programs. Despite the progress and positive impact s, the JFM program is still in the experimental phase. Latent conflicts rel ated to caste, class, and gender issues are threatening JFM institutions at the village level. The Forest Department is also facing a number of intern al conflicts as it tries to adjust to its new role under JFM. Some thoughtf ul and creative attempts have been made to resolve these conflicts. However , a much more concerted effort is required along with creation of suitable mechanisms at local, state, and national levels to discuss and resolve pres ent and future conflicts.