Joint Forest Management (JFM) Vocabulary Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, institutions, benefits, and challenges associated with Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

A partnership program in India between state forest departments and local villagers to protect and restore degraded forest lands by sharing responsibilities, costs, and benefits.

National Forest Policy of 1988

The policy framework in which JFM is rooted, shifting forest governance from a state-controlled model to a cooperative approach involving forest-dependent communities.

Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC)

A democratic institution at the village level where the Forest Department and village communities work together as partners to manage and protect local forest resources.

General Body

The organ of a JFMC that includes all willing adult members of the village and is chaired by a President elected through majority consensus.

Executive Body

The elected body within a JFMC responsible for day-to-day operations, chaired by the President of the General Body.

Micro Plan

A key document prepared by the JFMC containing baseline information about the village and outlining proposed forest management and community activities for the next five to ten years.

Alternative Titles for JFMC

State-specific names for Joint Forest Management Committees, including Forest Protection Committee (FPC), Village Forest Committee (VFC), and Van Sanrakshan Samiti (VSS).

Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs)

Forest goods granted to communities in exchange for guarding forests, supporting marginalized groups and providing income during agricultural distress.

Self Help Groups (SHGs)

Community groups promoted under JFM to harness skills and resources for income-generating activities such as leaf plate making, honey processing, bamboo crafts, and eco-tourism.

Gram Panchayats

Local self-government bodies that often face capacity and resource limitations, creating a challenge in coordinating, monitoring, and managing JFM activities effectively.