Q1 (d) Examine the impacts of social forestry in socio-economic transformation of rural areas.  10 Marks (PYQ/2024)

Environmental Geography / Rural Development

Answer:

Introduction

Social forestry refers to the practice of growing trees and managing forests outside conventional forest areas, primarily on community, private, or government land, to meet the needs of local communities. Initiated in India during the National Commission on Agriculture (1976), it plays a pivotal role in the rural socio-economic transformation by addressing fuel, fodder, timber, and ecological security.

Conceptual Basis and Theoretical Perspectives

• Julian Steward’s Cultural Ecology: Social forestry represents a human-environment interaction where local communities adapt land-use practices for sustainable living.
• Participatory Development Model: Emphasises bottom-up planning where local participation enhances rural empowerment.
• Gunnar Myrdal’s Theory of Circular Cumulative Causation: Social forestry can initiate a positive cycle of rural development, improving livelihoods, which in turn boosts local investment in resources.

Socio-Economic Impacts

1. Livelihood Generation

• Provides employment in plantation, protection, and harvesting activities.
• E.g., West Bengal Joint Forest Management (JFM) program improved income and resource access for forest-dependent communities.

2. Resource Security

• Supplies fuelwood, fodder, small timber, reducing pressure on natural forests and improving household resource access.

3. Women Empowerment

• Reduces drudgery of fuel and fodder collection; enables participation in Self Help Groups (SHGs).

4. Environmental Services and Agriculture

• Improves microclimate, enhances soil fertility, and prevents desertification, benefitting agriculture and animal husbandry.

Case Studies and Examples

• Arabari Model (West Bengal): Landmark JFM example where degraded forests were revived with local cooperation.
• Anandwan (Maharashtra): Community-led afforestation transformed barren land into self-sustained ecosystems.

Conclusion

Social forestry serves as a multi-dimensional rural development tool, enhancing livelihood security, ecological balance, and community participation. Its success reflects the integration of environmental sustainability with rural socio-economic planning, aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and geographical theories of human-environment synergy.