This document discusses livelihood security for communities living near forests in India through the Forest Rights Act of 2006 and Joint Forest Management programs. It provides background on how local communities previously had no legal rights to forests or forest produces. The Forest Rights Act aims to grant legal recognition of traditional forest rights to communities and make them partners in forest conservation. It outlines various rights granted, like rights to hold forest land, grazing areas, collect minor forest produces. Issues in implementation include lack of awareness, unclear community boundaries, and tension with previous joint forest management structures. Recommendations include strengthening community involvement in claim recognition and management.