Absence of forest management panels worsens urban forest issues

While many NGOs have stepped in to bridge gap, green activists argue that an mechanism is necessary to sustain forest conservation efforts

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: The delay in municipal corporation elections has stalled the formation of Urban Joint Forest Management Committees (UJFMCs) in Pune and other metro cities in Maharashtra, leading in turn to various management challenges such as increased forest fires, unregulated tourism, hindered plantation efforts, and difficulties in wildlife conservation. So much so that residents and environmentalists are now urging a modification in the law to allow members of legislative assembly (MLAs) to take on the responsibilities of UJFMCs in the absence of corporators.

The concept of joint forest management has existed in India since the 1980s, though there is no official record of when UJFMCs were first formed in Maharashtra. However, the Maharashtra forest department has been actively promoting UJFMCs across the state. These committees are meant to involve local communities in the management and conservation of urban forests, with an emphasis on sustainable forest management and integration of forest conservation with urban planning.

They play a crucial role in implementing policies and securing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for forest conservation and sustainable development projects. They comprise local residents, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations, forest department representatives, and municipal officials.