Joint Forest Management
Full Form of JFM
What is JFM?
Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a collaborative forest governance approach in India where state forest departments and local village communities jointly manage forest resources. It emerged from a 1990 government resolution, formalizing partnerships to restore degraded forests while providing livelihoods to fringe communities. Under JFM, villages form Forest Protection Committees (FPCs) or Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) that share responsibilities for protection, regeneration, and sustainable harvesting of forest produce. The programme addresses both ecological conservation and rural development by granting communities rights over non-timber forest products and a share of timber revenues. JFM is widely implemented across India, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. It is a key topic in environmental studies for competitive exams such as the UPSC Civil Services, Indian Forest Service (IFoS), and state forest service examinations. Understanding JFM is essential for questions on biodiversity, environmental policy, and participatory governance. The model has influenced legislation like the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, further empowering local communities. Despite challenges like inadequate benefit sharing and bureaucratic delays, JFM remains a cornerstone of Indian forestry policy, promoting ecological balance and social equity.
JFM का फुल फॉर्म
संयुक्त वन प्रबंधन
Example
Under JFM, the villagers of Ghati formed a committee to protect the nearby sal forest and now earn sustainable income from tendu leaves.