Characteristics of Forest Management in Van (forest) Panchayat: Case Study of Sub-Himalayan Villages in India

抄録

Van (forest) Panchayats (VPs) are self-initiated forest protection groups in the Uttarakhand state of India. The system of VP was originated in conflicts between people and the state government for control over forest resources at the beginning of 20th century. However, there has been quantitative and qualitative decline of the dense and well-managed forests at VP practice.
This study clarify the VP management and utilization of resources based on semi-structured interviews with people and the type of forest in the villages in 2013-2014. The management committee (MC) which was assumed to be active and successful, revealed that the villagers were satisfied with the current situation in the VP, in particular for the utilization of firewood and in maintaining their livelihood. Our case study indicates a collaborative and adaptive management as the characteristics of a high-performing MC.