Contents: Preface. 1. The ideology and the urgency. 2. The fundamental components. 3. Some social forestry schemes: progress and constraints. 4. Experiences of states. 5. The participatory approach. 6. Indifference towards the nature of what should be produced. 7. Panchayats and NGOs in social forestry development. 8. Towards an alternative energy source. 9. Benefits from social forestry.

"Social forestry emerged in eighties as one of the important programmes to meet the fuelwood-fodder crisis. A number of donor agencies funded the programme in different states. However, by the end of the decade the ambitious programme came under doubt and criticism about the real benefits. Instead of meeting the fuelwood-fodder requirements, it is reported to have been a masquerade for tree farming. Eucalyptus species somehow turned to be the dominant species adopted widely throughout the country. Was there a fundamental flaw somewhere? Much has been written on these aspects. The book is a compilation of all these experiences.

"It reviews the emergence of social forestry and identifies its components. The performance of the programme in various states is discussed. The book is of invaluable importance to all those interested in forests and forestry." ((jacket)

[Ram Prasad served as Chief Conservator of Forests, Madhya Pradesh.]