Forest Policy and Tribal Development: A Study of Maharashtra

The book deals with the changing forest policy of the Government, since the British period, and its economic Impact on tribals. Before the advent of the British rule in India forests were well managed by local tribals. With the Britishers came the commercial exploitation of the forests in the name of scientific management. After Independence also the revenue ?oriented approach of the Government did not change. As of today the forests have degraded to a large extent and the plight of tribals has also worsened. While the Government blames the tribals for the degradation on the one hand, tribals for the degradation on the one hand, tribals feel that it is the Government?s ??policies that have alienated them from forests on the other.
Present study was undertaken to study and analyse reactions of tribals to the changes in forest policy and to envisage a long-term relationship between forest policy and tribals? economic interests. The results are based on field survey conducted in four tribal-forest areas in Maharashtra.