Participatory Forest Management and Sustainable Development Outcomes in the Subtropical Himalayas: A Sequel of Environment, Economy and Equity through Social Empowerment

Abstract

For rehabilitation of degraded hills of the Shiwaliks in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India, the Changar Eco-Development Project initiative between 1994 and 2006 adopted a watershed development approach, of which participatory forest management involving local communities in decision-making on forest resource planning and implementation was the key component. The operative planning sequence of the participatory forest management (PFM) was (1) problem identification and potential assessment, (2) planning of forestry resources on common land and private land involving village communities and user groups, (3) forest management capacity building of user groups, (4) local institutional strengthening and (5) orientation of the forest department to PFM practises. The productive and protective potential of afforestation measures on degraded land to address ecological, economic and social problems has been demonstrated visibly. These areas are now managed and rehabilitated through adapted forest management practises led by local communities, as increased supply of forest products (e.g. fuel wood, fodder) and services (e.g. water recharging) is met. Moreover, the standing stock in plantations has gained a substantial economic value. However, such innovations will have to be backed up and scaled up by forest managers (e.g. including the forest department) to obtain broader lessons which could then be mainstreamed through policy and management in practise, improving forest governance so that multifunctional goods and services of regenerated forest cover are sustained.