Environment & Ecosystem Science (EES)

This paper reviews rules and regulations implemented by introducing a state policy of Joint Forest Management (JFM) in the forest fringe villages of Odisha, a coastal state of India. It critiques the guidelines and amendments associated with JFM in Odisha that seem not to be examined previously. Several questions are revealed right here relating to the formation of an institution like Vana Surakhya Samiti (VSS) or Eco Development Committee (EDC), the role of villagers, community members, and the Forest Department in building these institutions at the local level, the meetings, resolutions needed, people of the village associated, MOU required between a Divisional Forest Office and these institutions following the resolution of JFM, 2011 and amendments of 2015, and so on. This comparison of the resolution and amendments concludes; that the participation of villagers increases with the initiatives of the JFM in the protection of their own area. JFM has a larger role function in building trust among the forest department officials and villagers of the nearby forest. The necessary modifications in the JFM amendment, of 2015 have made the financial processes transparent, the inter-village and intra-village conflicts are reduced to different projects implemented following this JFM policy. The forest fringe village individuals and their participation in managing the forest resources is a mandatory need. JFM has catered to these needs with different resolutions and amendments. It has not only helped the Government to manage the forest resources in a sustainable way but also enhanced the livelihood of the people making their future better.