Intra-Community Conflict Resolution Mechanism and the Role of Social Capital: Lessons from a Joint Forest Planning and Management Project in Karnataka

Abstract

The paper highlights the conflict in benefit sharing among four different communities (hamlets) spread over different geographical areas in a conservation and development programme. Four different hamlets under a single administrative entity (revenue village) are brought under JFPM to manage forests. All the four hamlets are expected to contribute equally to the conservation and management activities. In return, these hamlets are provided financial assistance to be utilised for development activities. Every time, forest department releases the grants under the development component, there is a problem in the Community, as to how the grants are to be shared among different hamlets? It is not merely the money that is involved, it is about, how leaders from different hamlets demand for a share in the grants, which are so small that if shared in different or equal proportions among the hamlets, there is hardly any development activity. It goes on to narrate how the Managing Committee negotiates in the conflict situation with the beneficiaries and how such conflicts can have a negative impact on the conservation activities if there are no policy interventions in unclear cases.

Keywords: Social Capital, Leadership, Joint Forest Planning and Management, Village Forest Committee