Many of us believe that the life we live today is modern and more advanced than ever. Indeed, the current century has brought us numerous discoveries, modernisations, ushering in comforts.

However, not all progress has been beneficial. The rise of settled agriculture has led to the large-scale destruction of forests and vegetation that has proved devastating for our precious

biodiversity. We justify deforestation as inevitable for development, but have we achieved sustainable progress through these actions? The answer, largely, is no. The story of nature and

wildlife conservation in India, particularly in West Bengal, presents a brighter picture compared to many so-called “developed” industrial nations. India’s ancient lifestyle, rooted in

aspirations of the people largely remain unfulfilled. Advertisement People are the central force behind all growth-oriented activities. Wherever people are able to actively participate

freely and fairly, the chances of sustainable utilisation of resources are much higher. Furthermore, such efforts are typically eco-friendly and pro-environment. A shining example of this is

the conservation initiative that took place in West Bengal in the early 1970s when the state faced an acute challenge to its forest resources. Visionary foresters like Ajit Kumar Banerjee,

along with others, initiated the “Arabari Experiment” (a place in Paschim Midnapore district), which primarily focused on local community involvement in forest conservation. This project has

encouraged local forest-dependent people to cooperate with the mission of conserving the forests. Advertisement The Arabari Experiment, which began in 1972, was grounded in democratic

methods, and ensured equal treatment of both male and female members of the community. The creation of joint forest management committees (JFMCs) helped ensure that communities directly

participated in the decision-making processes related to forest protection. Over time, this approach led to the involvement of 4465 JFMCs, with over 535,000 families, including significant

numbers belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. These committees have been successful in conserving over 638,589 hectares of forest in West Bengal, with

families actively engaged in protecting the forests and wildlife in their localities. Each family was given a joint membership, ensuring equal participation. The formation of these

committees involved consultations with local panchayats, and executive committees were established, including elected representatives and forest officers. The representation of SC, ST and

women was ensured in these committees, with at least one-third of the members being women and a minimum of one of the top three positions (president, vice president, treasurer) being held by

a woman. This approach greatly reduced the burden on forest officers, diminished the quantum of legal disputes and minimised the need for police intervention. The shift from relying on

punitive measures to embracing community participation led to flourishing peace and prosperity in the region. The incentive-sharing model, which includes sharing revenues from forestry

operations, is instrumental in curbing illegal activities like deforestation, cattle grazing and forest fires. As a result, large swathes of open and scrub forests have been transformed into

quality forests, and a number of wildlife species have rebounded in their natural habitats. The JFMCs have also significantly contributed to soil moisture conservation, improvement of soil

health, and have helped the forest department apprehend offenders. The forest offense rate dropped significantly over the years, and these committees have become involved in managing

human-wildlife conflicts. Many JFMCs even patrol forests alongside forest personnel, significantly improving vigilance at the grassroots level. In recognition of the success of the Arabari

Experiment, the government of West Bengal had issued its first notification for forest protection in 1987, followed by the joint forest management committee (JFMC) resolution in 1990. In the

years that followed, additional government resolutions supported the growth of the JFMC model. In 1993, the forest department of West Bengal received the prestigious Paul Getty Award

(commonly known as the Green Nobel Peace Prize) for its contributions to forest conservation with the help of the JFMCs. Between 2011 and 2023, the state government distributed an 

approximate amount of 447.4 crore rupees through forestry operation worth benefits to JFMC beneficiaries. Additionally, the department is also sharing numerous forest resources such as Sal

leaves (for Sal leaf plate making), tree barks, bamboo, medicinal plants, mushrooms, and other non-timber forest products with them. The local communities were granted access to firewood and

other forest resources free of charge. The government also shared upto 40 per cent of its revenue from ecotourism with the JFMCs. In this process, the forest department, government of West

Bengal, played a huge role in resource sharing, employment generation, and poverty alleviation in forest fringe villages. The forest-dependent communities have also benefited from a cleaner,

greener environment, which many urban areas, plagued by pollution, can only dream of. In addition to the tangible benefits of forest resources, there were numerous environmental

improvements, such as groundwater enrichment, improved crop protection, and soil fertility, all of which contributed to an increased agricultural income in the years to come. However, like

all innovations, the JFMC model has reached a point of stagnation. While, over the past five decades, the initiative has produced remarkable results, it is clear that further strengthening

and scaling of the JFMCs is imperative to continue the progress. Expanding on this model to implement it on a larger scale will ensure that efforts toward forest and wildlife conservation

are sustained and that more people are involved in this crucial mission. In conclusion, it is the time to take this innovation to the next level. While the JFMC model has been mostly

successful, it is essential to keep refining and extending its reach to foster a more inclusive, sustainable future for forests, wildlife, and the environment at large. By doing so, we can

secure not only effective but also conservation efforts that serve to strengthen the fabric of society itself. _The writer is chief conservator of forests (Central), West Bengal forest

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