The document outlines a study on decentralized forest governance, institutions, and livelihood policies in Odisha, India. It discusses the background and objectives of the study, which aim to understand the evolution of forest policies in Odisha and how livelihood issues of forest dwellers were addressed. The methodology included secondary data analysis and primary research through interviews. Key findings were that Odisha's forest policies have recognized community rights but are still largely rationalist and bureaucratic. Livelihood issues gradually gained importance due to public demands. However, unclear policies and legal ambiguities remain challenges.

1. Decentralised Forest Governance,
Institutions and Livelihood Policies in
Odisha-A Study
Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra
PhD Scholar
Centre for Economic and Social Studies,
Hyderabad - 500 016

2. Outline of the Presentation
 Introduction
 Background of the Present Study
 Objectives
 Methodology and Study Area
 Forest Policy Process and Livelihoods-The Theoretical
Framework
 The Policy Cycle-An Approach to understand Forest
Policy Process
 Analytical Framework
 Major Findings
 Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
 Decentralisation of Forest Governance aims to;
1.Improve Institutional Mechanism
2. Managing Forest Resources in Sustainable Way
3.Enhance Institutional Capacity to Achieve Effective Result
4.Ensure Efficiency, Equity and Democracy in Forest Governance
System.
 Factors influencing for Decentralisation of Forest Governance
1. Rapid Depletion of Forest Resources
2.Increasing Community Concern over Access to Resources
3. Failure of Conventional Bureaucracy led Forest Governance
System
4. Neo Liberal Economic Framework
5. Changing Political Scenario and Institutional Structure

4. Background of The Present Study
 The Present study is a part of RULNR-CESS Visiting Fellowship
Programme Entitled “Decentralised Forest Governance, Institutions
and Livelihoods in Odisha-A Study of Evolution of Policy Process and
Politics”
1. Odisha in the recent age of Forest Governance has been
implementing a number of Livelihood based programmes for Forest
Dwellers(OFSDP,RLTAP,FRA,OTELP).
2. Policy making and implementation in the State’s Forestry Sector has
witnessed continuity and change.
3. Evolution of Forest Policies in the State has been witnessed the
increasing involvement of Non-State Actors.
4. Forest Policies of the State has witnessed a paradigm shift in the
context of implementation PFM and FRA.
5. Implications of Such Policies on Livelihoods of Forest Dwellers are
believed to be provided positive impact.

5. Objectives
The Broad Objective of the study was to “understand the
evolution of forest policies in Odisha and how and at what
context the issues of Livelihoods of the Forest Dwellers were
taken into consideration while formulating such policies”
 To understand the nature and evolution of decentralised forest
governance in Odisha.
 To analyse different forest policies and legal frameworks of
such policies in the case of Odisha.
 To understand the legal-political context in which the
Livelihood issues emerged and included in the policy process.
 To understand the current implementation mechanism of Pro-
Livelihood Policies such as PFM and FRA in the case of
Odisha

6. Methodology and Study Area
The study was carried out by using two principal research methods
such as;
 Secondary Research Methods-Analysis of Secondary Data,
Content Analysis and Review of Policy documents, Review of
Legislative Proceedings, rules, acts etc
 Primary Research Method- In-depth Interview, Case study and
Focus Group Discussion
Study Area:
The study was carried out in Odisha. However in order to track the
field reality, interview and focus group discussion was carried
out in two districts such as Koraput and Sundargarh.

7. Forest Policy Process and Livelihoods-A
Theoretical Framework
 Policy Process in Forestry Sector such as Policy Formulation and
Implementation has provided a wide array of theoretical frameworks
to understand such process.
 Different Theories of Policy Process such as Elite Theory, Group
Theory, Institutionalism, Rational Choice Theory, Political System
Theory and Policy Process Model helps to understand different
aspects of policy formulation and implementation.
 Policy Process Model has attained prominence under which two
Broad aspects have been covered such as “improve policy and policy
making” and “how policy has been made”.
 Policy Process Analysis in the case of Forests has also touched two
core aspects such as Rational Process and Political Process.
 Policy process in Forest Governance argued as becoming Political
because of Involvement of Non-State Actors.

8. Continued…
 Effects of Forest Policies on Livelihoods have been
covered by Researchers through the two broad
approaches such as;
 Why, How and for What Reason Livelihood Issues Emerged.
 Impacts of Forest Policies on Livelihoods of Forest Dwellers.
Systematic Change in Policy Process and Livelihood
Approaches in State’s Forest Governance encouraged
Researchers to explore on such changes by using the two
above mentioned approachs.
The analytical framework of the present study is based
on the research approach of “Why, How and What”.

9. The Policy Cycle-An Approach to Understand
Forest Policy Process
Agenda-Setting
Policy Change Policy Formulation
Policy Evaluation Policy Legitimation
Implementation

10. Analytical Framework
•Process • When and
• Why • Key How
Agenda
Policy •Involveme Legitima Arguments Impleme Implemented
Setting •Streams Formula nt of tion •Political ntation • Role of
of Agenda tion Different Different
Factors
Actors Actors

11. Forest Policies and Livelihoods in Odisha
Policy Framework Legal Framework Implications on Livelihoods
The National Forest The Wildlife Protection Act •Forest Policies of the State were based on
Policy, 1952 1972 and Rule of 1974. and National Forest Policy.
the Odisha Forest Act, 1972 •Expanding State’s Legitimacy through
Organizing Forest Administration was
focused.
• Livelihood issues received less priority.
National Commission on The Odisha Forest •Forest Policies shifted from conservation
Agriculture, 1976 Conservation Act,1980, The to participation mode.
Odisha Forest(Amendment) •Emphasis was given to involve Villages in
Act, 1982 and The Odisha protection of degraded Forests.
Village Forest Rule, 1985 •Community involvement in Management
of Forests.
•Livelihood Issues gradually evolved.
National Forest Policy, JFM Resolution, 1993 •The State Government’s Resolution
1988 accepted JFM as a Strategy of Forest
Management.
•Accepted Community Access to Forest
Resources for Sustenance of Livelihoods.

12. Continued…..
Policy Framework Legal Framework Implications on Livelihoods
The Provisions of The Odisha Minor Forest •Management of MFP Vested to the
Panchayats Act(PESA Produce Amendment Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats in
Act), 1996 Rule, 2002 Tribal Areas.
•Powers given to the Local
Governments on Price Fixation and
providing license to Traders.
The Forest Rights Act, Implementation of the •The Act implemented in 2008 under
2006 Act thorough GoO Order which 539277.45 Acres of Forest land
in 2008 provided(Dec.2012).
•Land Titles provided to 300312
Households on forest lands.(Dec.2012)
•FRA Beneficiaries linked with
different schemes and programmes
such as MGNREGA, IAY, National
Horticulture Mission for Land
Development, Plantation, Housing etc.

13. Major Findings
 Forest Governance in Ordisha has reached at the Stages of
Decentralisation while recognizing the community rights.
 Forest Policy process in the State are linked with rationalist idea
and bureaucratic attitude except few policies such as PFM and
FRA.
 Successful political mobilisation and integration of social capital
in the case of Forest Governance has flourished the arena of pro-
poor and participatory policy process.
 State Forest Policies are more or less guided by the national level
policy process which restricts the role of State as implementer
but not policy maker.
 Unclear policy framework, ambiguous legal provisions and
overlapping in implementation are the Major Challenges in the
State’s forest policy environment.

14. Continue……..
 Livelihood issues gradually attained importance because of
continuous demand from the people, policy makers and CSOs
coupled with continuing issues of poverty in the forest regions.
 Implementation of different forest region based development
programmes also reveals the seriousness of State Government for
improving livelihood conditions of the Forest fringe
communities.
 Livelihood Issues of the Forest Dwellers have taken into account
in which Political factors also played vital role.

15. Conclusion
 Decentralisation has a far larger effect on the
Livelihoods of the Forest dependent communities.
 Forest polices in the context of current Livelihood
issues of forest dwellers needs further reforms.
 Policy process should be based on need of the people
and should be inclusive and participatory.
 Legal ambiguity and overlapping in the process of
impletion should be avoided.
 Local Governments, different forest protection
groups, CSOs etc should have voice in forest policy
making and implementation.

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