This report is a compilation of research and analyses from some of the leading scholars and experts on the Indian forest sector. Their analyses take a critical look at the trends that have shaped the developments in India's forest sector over the past two decades.

We condemn the attack by the Maoists on 21 April near Kerlapal village in Sukma district (in Chhattisgarh) in which they killed two security guards and abducted the Sukma district collector, Alex Paul Menon. At the time of this attack, Menon, accompanied by security guards, was in the process of conducting Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan across the district. (Letters)

In June 2005, a movement known as the

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The Salwa Judum, a counterinsurgency drive in Chhattisgarh leaves tribals stupefied

This paper looks at two interfacing trends shaping devolution of forest management in India: appropriation of space for forest management by diverse self-initiated community formations at the grass roots level despite state seizure of forests; and state-driven devolution where government policies define the scope of local authority in forest management.

Because it means too many things to as many people, joint forest management in India will remain elusive to all