Q1. [4]
Joint Forest Management
In India the Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme furnishes a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. The programme has been in formal existence since 1988 when the state of Odisha passed the first resolution for joint forest management. JFM depends on the formation of local (village) institutions that undertake protection activities mostly on degraded forest land managed by the forest department. In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produces and share in the timber harvested by 'successful protection'.
The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management. But there is still a long way to go before local communities are at the centre-stage in decision-making. Accept only those economic or developmental activities, that are people centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
- (17.1) Why is conservation of forests necessary ? [1]
- (17.2) Which type of forests are protected under the 'Joint Forest Management' programme ? [1]
- (17.3) Explain the role of local communities in forest conservation. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 32/3/1 Q17
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:05 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(17.1) Conservation of forests is necessary because forests are vital for maintaining biodiversity, ecological balance, and providing resources to local communities. They also help prevent environmental destruction.
(17.2) Under the JFM programme, degraded forest lands managed by the forest department are protected.
(17.3) Local communities play an important role in forest conservation in the following ways:
- Local (village) institutions are formed which undertake protection activities on degraded forest lands.
- In return, community members receive non-timber forest produce and a share in timber harvested through successful protection.
- Local communities must be involved in natural resource management to prevent environmental destruction and aid reconstruction.
- They should be placed at the centre-stage in decision-making for people-centric, environment-friendly, and economically rewarding activities.
Source: Chapter – Forest and Wildlife Resources, Joint Forest Management section
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Explanation
- (17.1) The passage hints at environmental destruction/reconstruction; link forests to ecological balance. One line is enough for 1 mark.
- (17.2) The answer is directly stated in the passage — "degraded forest land." Don't over-explain; it's 1 mark.
- (17.3) For 2 marks, give 2–3 clear points drawn directly from the passage: formation of village institutions, protection activities, benefits (NTFPs + timber share), and involvement in decision-making. Examiners look for passage-based accuracy here.
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