Joint Forest Management in West Bengal
Since the 1980s, West Bengal’s Joint Forest Management (JFM) committees have significantly contributed to improving forest cover and biodiversity, as well as enhancing local livelihoods through community cooperation.
Challenges in Wildlife Protection
- Ritualistic Hunting: The Sikari Utsav is a regional festival celebrated in the dry season, particularly in the districts of Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum. Thousands participate in hunting small wildlife species during this festival.
- Environmental Impact: The festival overlaps with the peak period of forest fires, exacerbating environmental damage.
- Forest Accessibility: The forests in south-west Bengal are vast and easily accessible, with human settlements nearby, leading to both sustainable and exploitative use of forest resources.
Conservation Challenges
- The Forest Department is under-resourced, making it difficult to manage the vast ecosystem and enforce conservation regulations.
- Hunters outnumber forest staff during the Sikari Utsav, hindering conservation efforts.
Cultural Justifications
- The hunting tradition is often justified by its cultural significance and viewed as a traditional celebration.
- Despite cultural importance, the negative impact on biodiversity and the environment is serious.
Need for Change
- Urgent need for awareness and change to protect ecosystems from overexploitation and human encroachment.
- Efforts are needed to restore forest vegetation and wildlife diversity through participatory forest management.
Future Actions
- Strengthening the Joint Forest Management model and expanding its application.
- Investing in awareness campaigns, law enforcement, and infrastructure to prevent destructive practices.
- Engaging local communities through education about sustainable living and biodiversity preservation.
The narrative must shift from exploitation to coexistence through dialogue and active stakeholder involvement. Protecting forests and wildlife is crucial for the well-being of future generations and ensuring harmonious coexistence with the environment.
Singaram Kulandaivel, Chief Conservator of Forests, Central Circle, West Bengal