Abstract
Haryana Forest Department (HFD) was pioneer in implementing Joint Forest Management (JFM) in 1990. Benefit sharing under JFM was key for which people participated in the programme. In a span of eight years number of Hill Resource Management Societies (HRMS) were established and became self-sustaining through the income generated by sale of Bhabbar (Eulaliopsis binata) and other activities. However, in 1998 HFD came out with a new sharing system of the produce obtained from JFM activities. In the new system HRMS had a share of only 45% of the total revenue generated. Most of the HRMS collapsed post 1998 due to lack of sufficient income. Repercussion of introduction of new sharing system on existence of HRMS and on forest resources was analysed. It was found that the new sharing system is detrimental for the existence of HRMS. Forests established with the cooperation of people are no more managed by the people as a result fire incidences have increased in the Bhabbar yielding forest post 1998 JFM resolution
Keywords
Hill Resource Management Society (HRMS), Joint Forest Management (JFM), Forest resources, Sustainability, Conservation measures