15.10.24
Fostering Community-Led Conservation in Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh
In accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, the Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) has facilitated the formation of Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs) and the development of Community Forest Resource Management Plans (CFRMPs) across 10 villages in Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh, to promote sustainable forest governance. This initiative is a significant step towards democratising forest management under the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006—commonly referred to as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
Strengthening Community Participation in Forest Governance
The newly established CFRMCs have been democratically elected, ensuring the active participation of women, youth, and traditional forest users in local decision-making processes. These committees serve as custodians of community forest rights, strengthening local governance structures and integrating sustainable conservation practices within both customary and legal frameworks.
The CFRMPs, developed through extensive community consultations, outline conservation strategies, sustainable harvesting practices, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. These plans have received formal approval by the Gram Sabhas, ensuring community ownership and accountability in forest resource management. The CFRMPs are currently being integrated into the working plan of the Pangi Valley Forest Department, facilitating institutional coordination for effective on-ground implementation.
The CFRMPs emphasize sustainable resource utilisation, ecological balance, and local governance mechanisms through:
Rotational harvesting practices to prevent over-extraction and ensure long-term forest health.
Regulations on forest resource use, including controlled access to timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products.
Fines and penalties for forest degradation, enforcing community-driven accountability for resource protection.
Temporary bans on high-value seasonal forest products(SFPs) allowing natural regeneration cycles to enhance sustainability.
Key Components of the CFR Management Plans
The Gram Sabha plays a crucial role in empowering local communities by reinforcing their rights to govern, conserve, and manage their forests. The adoption of culturally embedded conservation practices by CFRMCs reflects the deep interconnection between local traditions and environmental stewardship.
By formalising these governance structures, the initiative lays a strong foundation for long-term sustainable development in Pangi Valley. Moreover, it sets a precedent for community-led forest governance models that can be replicated across other forested landscapes in India, ensuring that local communities remain central to both conservation efforts and sustainable economic development.