Question

Write the important features of the Joint Forests Management (JFM) Programme.

Answer 1

Hint
Through the National Forest Policy of 1988, the central government brought the new concept of Joint Forests Management Programme. Abbreviated as JFM Programme, it includes the collaboration of both the forest departments and local communities in the management process of natural forests.

Complete answer:
Meaning: Joint Forests Management Programme is an initiative started by the Government of India for the conservation of forest cover and along with this effectively bringing awareness about the importance of forests among the locals by involving them in the process of forest conservation.

Important features of JLM Programme:
1. Communities living in the villages are given the responsibility of protecting, managing and conserving the forest area surrounding the village. For doing the same they are required to form forest protection and village protection committees, and societies for the conservation and development of village forests etc.
2. These bodies, organised by villagers, have an executive committee to manage the daily functions.
3. The key aim of this programme is in alignment with the authorized Joint Forest Management Project, to protect forests from invasion, grazing, stealing and burning, and also to improve forests.
4. In return, members of these village communities are provided with intermediate incentives such as non-timber forest resources.

Note
- According to the 2019 data of India State of Forest Report (ISFR) published by Forest Survey of India, there has been an increase of 0.65% of forest and tree cover in the whole country when compared to data of 2017 ISFR report.
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in India, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.