Impact of participatory forest management in north Wayanad forest division, Kerala

Abstract

The Participatory Forest Management activities going on in N. Wayanad division for the past one decade was subjected to a perception based impact study. The forest department officials and the members of Vana Samrakshana samith is were interviewed to find out the impact on them. The impact was analyzed using the 5 C framework ie the five capitals of Physical, Finacial, Social, Ecological and Sustainability. A focus group discussion was held with the various stakeholders to corroborate the findings through interview. A depth interview with Policy makers was also done. The study revealed that the perceived impact is higher as we move lower down in the hierarchy. The Foresters have the lowest perceived impact while the members of VSS have the greatest impact perception. The VSS presidents and executive members fall in between. PFM has certainly improved the relations between the forest dwelling communities and the forest department. Also the relation between the other line departments and forest department has also improved. There is a positive interaction between the department and the community during these years. But it cannot be construed that the community can takeover entirely the responsibility of the department like protection, wildlife management, development works etc. The department and the VSS should work in unison to achieve the conservation goals. In that aspect the income generation needs and other allied needs of the community have to be taken care by the projects initiated. The impact monitoring and the activity monitoring in respect of VSS works is not functioning properly. There is no mechanism at present for the same. Services of organizations of repute should be taken to monitor the same. Piecemeal evaluations need to be discouraged. Policy with regard to PFM has to be modified to ensure a uniform wage rate for forestry works, proper auditing, regular flow of funds creation of assets having maximum use and continuity of officials who are posted to their jobs with their consent among others.