The dominant theme of the policy is that while conservation of environmental resources is necessary to secure livelihoods and well-being of all, the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependent on resources obtain livelihoods from conservation rather than from degradation of resources.

The policy recognizes that forests are traditional homes and major source of livelihood for the forest dwelling tribes. Moreover, the forest dwelling communities had recognized traditional communities entitlements over the forests because of which they used the forests sustainable and protected the forests from encroachers, but following the commencement of formal forest laws and institutions in 1865, these entitlements were disregarded in many parts of the country. Such disempowerment led to the free access of forests, leading to their gradual degradation. It has also led to perennial conflict between the forests dependent communities and the Forest Department, constituting a major denial of justice. The Panchayats (Extension to the Schedule Areas) Act, 1996 and the relevant provisions of Part IX of the Constitutions provide a framework of restoration of the key traditional entitlements.

Some of the important measures envisaged in the policy for the benefits of local/tribal communities are:

• Giving legal recognition to the tradition entitlements of the Panchayats (Extension to the Schedule Area) Act, 1996 (PESA). This would remedy a serious historical injustice, secure their livelihood, reduce possibilities of conflict with the Forests Departments, and provide incentives to these communities to conserve the forests.

• Empower, build capacities, and facilitate access to finance and technology, for local people, in particular tribes, who are relocated from Protected Areas, or live in the fringe areas, for provision of ecotourism services in the Protected Areas.

• Formulate and implement Multi-stakeholder partnerships for enhancement of wildlife habitat in conservation Reserves and Community Reserves, to drive both environmental and eco-tourism benefits.

• Promote site-specific eco-development programmes in fringe areas PAs, to restore livelihoods and access to forests produce by local communities, owing to access restrictions in PA.

Gender Dimension

The policy recognizes that it is essential that women play a greater role in the management of natural resources degradation, as they have little control over the management of these resources. Relevant provisions of the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women provides a framework for incorporating elements of proposed action.

The policy also seeks to strengthen efforts for partial substitution of fossil fuels by bio fuels, plantations, promoting relevant research and development, and streamlining regulatory certification of the new technologies. (PIB Features)