Unwilling states

Forest departments have always resisted notification of village forests

1865

First forest law enacted. It provides for three types of forests: reserved, protected and village. The provision for village forests never implemented

1927

The Indian Forest Act (IFA), which retains the provision for the three kinds of forests, passed. The provision for village forests still not implemented

1980S

Orissa Village Forest Rules passed under IFA to formalise a social forestry program in the state. The rules are drafted in such a way that all important decisions remain in the hands of revenue and forest departments

1990S

Joint forest management (JFM) programme introduced in several states with the idea of sharing forest benefits with communities. Activists demand that community rights under JFM be formalised by declaring village forests under IFA. States do not act

2001

Uttarakahnd formulates village forest rules to include forest officers in vanpanchayats. As a result, the

panchayats become ineffective

2007

Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) enacted. It gives absolute authority to gram sabhas over traditional community forests

2014

Maharashtra Village Forest Rules formulated. Activists say it is passed to hinder the implementation of FRA