The concept of Joint Forest Management (JEM) involves

Options

A. conservation of forest and agricultural land by the government
B. conservation of forests and wildife by the local communitites
C. work in close association with the local communities for protecting and managing forests
D. exploitation of beneficial forest products only.

Answer

C

Explanation

Realising the significance of participation by local communities, the Government of India in 1980s has introduced the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM) so as to work closely with the local communities for protecting and managing forests. In return for their services to the forest, the communities get benefit of various forest products (minor forest products), and thus the forest can be conserved in a sustainable manner. Presently, there are 84632 JFM committees with 17.33 million hectare forest area under them. Some 85.28 lakh families are involved in them all over the country.