Joint Forest Management in Cuddapah Forest Division - a Successful Example

It has been realised that the forests can not be protected and developed without the involvement of local people. The 1988 National Forest Policy has also envisaged the involvement of local people in the protection and development of the Forests. In Cuddapah Forest Division, a tribal village by name Saibaba Nagar situated near the Palakonda Reserve Forest was identified in which the Joint Forest Management has been started with the active involvement of all the villagers by forming the Vana Samrakshana Samithi (Forest Protection Committee). A Non-Governmental Organisation has also involved actively in implementation of the Joint Forest Management in this village. The results are very encouraging and the villagers are taking very good interest in protection and development of the degraded forest.