Contents 1. Introduction- .1 1.1. Background of the Study..- .1 1.1.1. The Need of Joint Management:..1 1.1.2. Aspects of JFM:- ..1 1.2. Relevance of the study:..- 2 1.2.1. Rationale behind Selection of the Study Area:..3 1.3. Context: ..- 3 1.4. Hypothesis of the Study:..- ..4 1.5. Aim of the study:..- 4 1.6. Objectives of the Study:..- ..4 1.7. Possible Outcome of the study:..- ..4 1.8. Data and Methodology- 4 1.8.1. Selection of the Study Area:..4 1.8.2. Data, their source (s) and collection methods:5 1.8.3. Analytical Framework:- ..7 2. Changes in Forest Policies and Acts over Time: Evolution of Joint Forest Management- .11 2.1. Community Management in Pre-Colonial Period..11 2.2. The British Rule: Introduction of State Ownership of the Forests..12 2.3. Rights of the Community Ignored: Forest Act, 1878..12 2.4. Historic Struggle for Forest Control13 2.5. Independent India: National Forest Policy 195214 2.6. Social Forestry and the Community- .14 2.7. Environmental Concern: Forest Conservation Act, 1980.15 2.8. Start of Innovative Practices: The Arabari Experiment, West Bengal..15 2.9. Recognition of Rights of the Community: National Forest Policy 1988..16 2.10.New Management Regime: Introduction of JFM..17 3. Introduction to the Study Area- .18 3.1. Forest Areas of West Bengal:.- ..18 3.2. Jalpaiguri District:- ..18 3.2.1. JFM in Jalpaiguri Division:- ..20 4. Assessment of Performance of the Institutions:..22 4.1. Performance of the Institutions at the Operational Level:22 4.1.1. Composition & Size of the Group:22 4.1.3. Organizational Norms:..- ..27 4.2. Performance of the Institutions at the Collective Choice Level:29 4.2.1. Twenty Five Percent Share of Net Timber Sale Proceeds..29 4.2.2. Accountability / Transparency:- .31 4.2.3. Livelihood Supporting Programmes by the Forest Department:..32 4.3. Performance of the Institutions at the Complimentary / Competitive Level:42 4.3.1. Inclusion/Exclusion on the Prescription of Panchayat Samiti Case of North Indong Forest Protection Committee:44 4.3.2. Appropriation of Benefits by the Political Agents:46 4.3.3. Different Villages, Same FPC but Different Panchayats Lack of Coordination in Dakshin Kuntimari Forest Protection Committee:..46 4.3.4. Political Domination over Natural Resources Case of Khairkata Dhumpara Forest Protection Committee:47 5. Conclusions & Recommendations:.- .49 ANNEXURE- ..50 Annexure I: Govt. of India Guidelines for Participatory Forest Management57 Annexure II: Guidelines for Strengthening of Joint Forest Management Programme, 2000 ..- 61 Annexure III: Guidelines for Strengthening Of Joint Forest Management Programme, 2002- 66 Annexure IV: Resolution on JFM Covering North Bengal69 Annexure V: Selection of the Forest Protection Committees for Primary Survey75 V-A: Selection of Beats (under ranges) for Primary Survey75 V-B: Selection of Forest Protection Committees (under Beats) for Primary Survey:.- 75 Annexure VI: Calculation of Total Benefits from Non Timber Forest Products..76 BIBLIOGRAPHY- ..77