Traditional Initiatives in Participatory forest Management: Dodra-KwAr (Shimla - H.P.) Experience

Paper presents a case of villager's traditional initiatives in the management and regulated use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). The system has ischolar_mains in 'Deota' (Village God) system being practiced in the remote villages of Himachal Pradesh in which collection, distribution and even enrichment of the forest products is governed by the practice established long back when the present day form of Joint Forest Management was not initiated. Collection of products from the government forests is permanently distributed by trees/area whereas for some others annual distribution is made among the families and there are least conflicts in their regulated use.