Some recent studies on forest-based common pool resources have interpreted situations in which households choose to spend time on collection from the forest commons for sale and value addition as an income enhancing activity that is independent of the common's role as a safety net. Feb 23-29, 2008

The present study on socio-economic and socio-ecological aspects of Sambalpur Forest Division of Orissa reveals that forests play an important role in the economy of the State in terms of contribution to state revenue, State Domestic Product as well as dependence of people for livelihood. The people living adjacent to the reserved forests of Sambalpur Forest Division (pre-reorganised) are heavily dependent on these forests. Although the nominal forest cover of the state continues to remain unchanged one notices a gradual decline in the effective forest cover of the state. Feb 2008

Joint Forest Management (JFM) is an organic process targeting the regeneration of degraded forests by involving the local community and operates on the interaction between the Forest Department and the local community. Successful formation and functioning of Village Forest Councils (VFCs) is the key factor that decides the success of the entire programme.

The Scheduled Tribes & Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (Act 2 of 2007). Implications for the management of protected areas and wildlife in West Bengal.