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In any engagement with the State with regard to policy implementation and intervention, it is important that we have a focus, yet have flexibility in certain matters, while retaining stubbornness in sticking to non-negotiables. We must be willing and open to engage with other stakeholders as well.

There is also need to acknowledge and appreciate whatever positive measures government takes. And this means participation in and support to their initiatives. If there is any problem in taking forward any of the government initiatives we should be willing to extend support to them as well.

My presentation is on the Change in the Joint Forest Management Programme (JFMP) in Andhra Pradesh, with regard to community participation and management, and our role in this in terms of what we did, and how we did it.

First we took the concept to NGOs and the communities through an independent network programme. We did not seek any financial support from the forest department and we worked in close collaboration and association with them to strengthen the programme

Tasks		Methods
Taking the concept to NGOs and Communities		An Independent Network Programme with NGOs (no financial support is sought from FD)
Inputs from various stakeholders into the policy formulation		Stakeholder Consultations
Improving Communications between Various stakeholders		Mediation
Support in Trainings		Manual, Modules & TOTs
Constructive criticism and suggestions		Formal & Informal Interactions & Communications
Understanding FD’s limitations and addressing certain issues in a strategic way		Facilitation of concerted community action
Making other Govt. agencies sensitive to FD’s & VSS’s Concerns		Developing & Coordinating Collaborative Projects

Next, we got inputs from the various stakeholders through consultation, we got the communities’ perspective on the programme into the formulation of the policy as well as implementation criteria

Our next task was to improve communications between the various stakeholders, which we did through mediation. There are a lot of communication gaps vertically and horizontally among and between all the stakeholders, which we sought to bridge through mediation. Vertical gaps between community representatives, NGOs, and forest departments; and horizontally within each group, for example within communities there are differences of gender, caste and groups. Within NGOs there are grassroots level NGOs, senior, junior all kinds of NGOs. Then in the forest department itself, there is
hierarchy and differentiation within them.

It is not enough if we advocate for good policy changes. We should also own some responsibility to see what is there in the policy that can be translated in the field. We thus took up responsibility in implementation, by providing support in training mainly through developing manuals, imparting Training of Trainers (TOT) etc.

Throughout the process we would provide constructive criticism and suggestions. This was not based on our fancies or ideological or intellectual thinking, but on field based action research involving the communities. These were communicated through formal and informal interactions. We also tried to understand limitations of the forest department and tried to address these in a strategic manner, by facilitating concerted community action. Besides co-ordinating the NGO network, we also facilitated the strengthening of community-based organisations namely the VSS (forest protection committees) at different levels - range and state. Wherever it was a bit unpleasant or where people showed some indifference to NGO communication, then the force of the community networks was used strategically to convey the message.

While working closely with various government projects, we realised that it was not only the NGOs who were antagonistic toward the Forest department, but also other departments within the government. We also made attempts to sensitise the other departments like the revenue departments, the animal welfare departments, the tribal welfare departments to the concerns of the Forest department, and the VSS through developing and co-ordinating collaborative projects.

The Forest department has shown initiative and leadership, and this needs to be acknowledged. We do this through educational programmes, as well as holding joint/multi stakeholder meetings to communicate and share the positive images with the local communities. We acknowledge that the Forest department has participated and contributed to the process. They have also been patient enough to explain their intentions. Recently I have seen the officers to explain the same thing, same mission again and again. Time and again, I too have written to the officers, and they have offered clarifications on a regular basis. Perhaps some of us need to learn this from them.

We have also found the Forest department willing to accept suggestions and issue appropriate circulars to improve implementation at the field level. Thus we can say that our experience has been positive to a great extent, though not 100 percent. There are always differences and disagreements, but then the relationship between the Forest
department and especially CPF and Vana Samakhya has attained such maturity that though we disagree on some things, we still work together. When there are differences, we keep making efforts to convince our point of view. But still, it is not antagonistic and we continue to work together.

Some of the issues we are planning to pursue include, the incorporation of CFM into the AP Forest Act; streamlining of the process of timber and bamboo sale by the VSS-the FD is planning a major role for itself. We are still working toward increasing the role of the communities in the process; Creation and nurturing appropriate structures for sustainable livelihood of forest dependent communities.

Our main aim is to work towards empowering the VSS, and make them a self-reliant forest managing institution. Right now there is dependence on private funds. They are also dependent on the Forest Department and NGOs for technical and financial management. We have to see that the VSS can take up all these responsibilities. In the long run, this can be done.

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