**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1224, addressed on July 28, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided details regarding the rights conferred upon Forest Committees under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiative. Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), constituted by State Forest Departments, are involved in sustainable forest management and conservation at the village level. The specific roles and extent of involvement are defined by State Government resolutions on JFM, typically formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the JFMC and the Forest Department. These MoUs also outline the usufruct benefits the JFMCs are entitled to.
Specifically, within the Damoh Lok Sabha constituency (Madhya Pradesh), 787 JFMCs are established across several districts: Panna (25), Chattarpur (109), Damoh (286), and Sagar (367). These JFMCs possess rights to collect fuelwood, fodder, and Minor Forest Produce (excluding nationalized items). They receive 100% of the forest produce revenue from restored degraded forest areas and 20% of the total revenue generated from Timber Coupes. Additionally, JFMC members involved in bamboo harvesting receive 100% of the generated profits. Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) within National Parks and Tiger Reserves receive 33% of ecotourism income to support protection and conservation activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Joint Forest Management initiative: A collaborative program involving Forest Committees for forest management.
SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental and forestry matters.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE answering the question.
Joint Forest Management Committees JFMCs: Committees constituted by State Forest Departments for sustainable management and conservation of forests.
Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency: Parliamentary constituency for which details regarding Forest Committees were requested.
Madhya Pradesh: State government providing information on JFMCs in Damoh Lok Sabha constituency.
EcoDevelopment Committees EDCs: Committees located in National Parks and Tiger Reserves involved in ecotourism and conservation activities.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1224
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Rights of the Forest Committees
1224. SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether any rights have been conferred on Forest Committees under Joint Forest
Management initiative;
(b) if so, the details of Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency in regard thereto; and
(c) the details of the dividend being disbursed to the Forest Committees?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) are constituted by the State Forest
Departments for sustainable management and conservation of forests.The
Resolution of the State Governments on the Joint Forest Management (JFM)
prescribes the manner and the extent to which these Committees are to be involved
under Joint Forest management. JFMCs are involved in implementing various
forestry activities at village level. The JFMCs and the forest department enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manage the forest area jointly with forest
department and JFMCs are also entitled to get usufruct benefits from the forest
area.
(b) & (c) As per the information provided by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, there
are 787 JFMCs constituted in various districts under Damoh Lok Sabha
constituency:
Sl Name of District Number of JFMCs
1. Panna 25
2. Chattarpur 109
3. Damoh 286
4. Sagar 367
Total 787JFMCs have been given the rights for collection of fuelwood, fodder and Minor
Forest Produce, excluding nationalised Minor Forest Produce. The JFMCs are
provided 100% of the forest produce generated from degraded forest areas which
are restored by them, and 20% of the total revenue generated from Timber Coupes.
Further, the members of JFMC involved in bamboo harvesting receive 100% of
profits generated. Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) located in National Parks/
Tiger Reserves are provided 33% of the income generated from eco-tourism
towards the protection and conservation related activities undertaken by them.
***