Explaining the performance of state–community joint forest management in India

Published Date
15 November 2009, Vol.69(1):177–185, doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.08.015
The DPSIR framework for Biodiversity Assessment

Author 

• Bhagirath Behera ^,

• Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, West Bengal, India

Received 24 March 2009. Revised 15 July 2009. Accepted 15 August 2009. Available online 3 September 2009.

Abstract

This paper seeks to identify and analyze the factors that explain differential outcomes of joint forest management (JFM) in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Factors affecting the performances of JFM communities are analyzed using an ordered logit model. The results indicate that JFM communities are more likely to perform well when they are smaller in size and when forest resources in the JFM community are scarce. Presence of social capital and high value forests are also likely to promote good forest growth. Effective protection of forests is likely to contribute to the growth of forests. JFM communities that were initiated by NGOs are more likely to manage forests effectively than the one initiated by the Forest Department.

Keywords

Collective action

Devolution

Property rights

Joint forest management

Andhra Pradesh

India

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