We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?

Explanation

The four main stakeholders in the management of forests and wildlife are :
(i) The local people who live in and around the forest,
(ii) The Forest department of the Government,
(iii) The industrialists who use various forest products for their factories, and
(iv) The forest and wildlife activists who want to save forests.
The local people who live in and around the forest area should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce. This is because the local people are well versed in the practices to use the forest produce in a sustainable manner as they have been using the forest and wildlife resources since the ancient times without causing any damage to the environment.