Fruitful Revival

Joint Forest Management Committees, arising out of the Arabari Experiment in late 20th-century Bengal, have achieved exemplary success in forest conservation through profitable community participation

- SINGARAM KULANDAIVEL

Many of us believe that the life we live today is modern and more advanced than ever. Indeed, the current century has brought us numerous discoveries, modernizations, ushering in comforts. However, not all progress has been beneficial. The rise of settled agriculture has led to the large-scale destruction of forests and vegetation that has proved devastating for our precious biodiversity. We justify deforestation as inevitable for development, but have we achieved sustainable progress through these actions? The answer, largely, is no.

The story of nature and wildlife conservation in India, particularly in West Bengal, presents a brighter picture compared to many so-called "developed" industrial nations. India's ancient lifestyle, rooted in harmony with nature, has survived through a long and extended legacy. Unlike many countries that have left this heritage behind in favor of concrete and silicon-based modernity, India continues to embrace its connection to nature. The country has made concerted efforts to maintain its natural resources through numerous schemes, projects, and models. Nonetheless, the aspirations of the people largely remain unfulfilled.

People are the central force behind all growth-oriented activities. Wherever people are able to actively participate freely and fairly, the chances of sustainable utilization of resources are much higher. Furthermore, such efforts are typically eco-friendly and pro-environment. A shining example of this is the conservation initiative that took place in West Bengal in the early 1970s when the state faced an acute challenge to its forest resources. The visionary foresters like Shri Ajit Kumar Banerjee, along with others, initiated the "Arabari Experiment" (a place in Paschim Midnapur district), which primarily focused on local community involvement in forest conservation. This project has encouraged local forest-dependent people to cooperate with the mission of conserving the forests.