Experience of social forestry and increasing pressure on Forest Reserves led the Government of India (GoI) to adopt a forest policy in 1988 that Forest Reserves should be managed for ecological conservation and to meet the needs of local people, rather than to supply the needs of industry. Particular attention is to be paid to montane forest. Policy is to maintain two-thirds of hilly areas under trees. GoI issue a circular to State forest departments in June 1990 clarifying the scope for local participation. It encourages agreements with local communities for the development and restoration of degraded areas by providing a share of forest products in return for services provided by the community. It also encourages the involvement of NGOs.

The project, with its emphasis on environmental improvement through participative management, is in line with evolving GoI policy. The Western Ghats forests are the only significant area of montane forest outside the Himalayan foothills. The GoI Ministry of Environment and Forests have confirmed that they regard these forests as of prime environmental and ecological value.

Since 1993, Oxfam has been working in the Western Ghats with emphasis on forest related development work, through a "parallel" project funded by the Department for International Development (DFID-UK) (MIS code: 149-068-001). Joint Forest Planning and Management (JFPM - close partnership between people and forest department of the Government of Karnataka) is the main instrument through which this project is being implemented.

Capabilities of local NGOs/CBOs substantially enhanced to actively participate in facilitating people's participation in forest planning and management so as to strengthen their access to and control over these resources.

Representative, well informed and capable Village Forest Committees (VFCs) developed and functioning to facilitate communities to gain access to and control over forest and CPRs.

High level of participation of women and other weaker sections of society in joint planning and management of forest and common property resources, and sharing of benefits resulting from JFPM process.

Conserve and protect the forests of the Western Ghats while ensuring sustainable benefits to the local people, particularly the disadvantaged sections of society, through people's participation in forest planning and management.

• Systematic initiatives and inputs from Oxfam resulted in strong and well informed NGOs capable of providing all forms of support to VFCs. NGOs with strong community base and CBOs (Community Based Organisations) are working in most villages covered by JFPM work.
• A dynamic and well structured training programme and information provision methodology for all VFCs (particularly those not covered by NGOs) developed and implemented by NGOs and KFD with active support from Oxfam and the MYRADA NGO.
• All groups have developed clear strategies for phase-out of funding and non-funding support from Oxfam.
• Strong and well represented network of NGOs and CBOs has been established and functioning.
• NGO/CBO network attains capacity to completely replace Oxfam by the end of 1998.
• By end of 1999, a number of predominantly CBO (VFCs and sangas) networks (at taluka level) come into existence. Need for external funding considerably reduced or unnecessary with much of the resources generated from constituent VFCs and sangas.
• The forest dependent communities, particularly women and poorer sections of society gain access to and control over NTFP (Non Timber Forest Products). Collective IGP ventures centring around various NTFPs set up in many locations, with well defined market linkages.
• Role of NGOs/CBOs in JFPM process, and development of sustainable income generation venture benefiting poor through NTFP documented and published before end of 1999.
• Oxfam implemented strategies to continuously feed NGOs/CBOs/VFCs with lessons learned from its involvement in JFPM and NTFP initiatives in other parts of the country.
• Oxfam's involvement in advocacy work on its own and through NGO/CBO network resulted in redefining of JFPM with strong focus on women and other weaker sections of society.