Constraints in Joint Forest Management (JFM): An Experience of Kumaun in Uttarakhand (India) Mishra Yagye Dev*, Programme Assistant (Extension/Communication), Bharadwaj Neelam**, Asstt Prof., Mishra Reeta***, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) *KVK, Jakhdhar, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand-246 439 **Dept. of Ag. Communication, College of Agric., G.B.P.U.A & T, Pantnagar-263 145 ***Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Morena, (M.P.) Abstract The JFM project has been implemented in Uttarakhand state since early years of the decade to rejuvenate degraded forests with active involvement of local population and state Forest Department. An in-depth study was carried out in two JFM villages representing hill and Tarai regions of Kumaun. The study brought out the constraints like lack of cooperation among villagers, poor cooperation from forest officials, illegal grazing, damaging boundary wall, fire burning, illegal cutting of fuel wood and timber, conflict among VFC members, lack of training intervention and poor follow up by forest department as major hurdles perceived by VFC members. Moreover, the beneficiaries of JFM project experienced problems in collection of fuel wood and fodder, difficulty in grazing, favouritism in providing employment opportunities through project activities and distribution of forest products. The concerned forest officials have been perceived the constraints like factions among village communities, poverty, wide gap in socio-economic status, lack of interest among villagers, inadequate training on JFM, lack of staff, lack of rapport with villagers and ignorance about participatory methodologies were other major hurdles in achieving success through JFM Top |