THE concept of community participation has been globally accepted as an essential tool for the protection of forest resources. In developed countries community participation has been considered necessary for the exchange of information, education and training. Forest policies in these countries also stress on the recreation of communities through forestry and eco-tourism. The book examines the phenomenon of community participation, sustainable forest management and development with reference to the forest policies and forest acts of different countries. Reviews of documents and recommendations of forestry linked international organisations like United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Bank, the Rio Earth summit and Agenda 21 have all been incorporated in the book.