Journal of Forest Economics > Vol 21 > Issue 4

Local institutions, collective action and forest conservation: The case of Similipal Tiger Reserve in India

Madhusmita Dash, Doctoral Scholar of Economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, India, madhuu.dash@gmail.com , Bhagirath Behera, Associate Professor of economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, India, bhagirath@hss.iitkgp.ernet.in
 
Suggested Citation
Madhusmita Dash and Bhagirath Behera (2015), "Local institutions, collective action and forest conservation: The case of Similipal Tiger Reserve in India", Journal of Forest Economics: Vol. 21: No. 4, pp 167-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2015.09.001

Publication Date: 0/12/2015
© 0 2015 Madhusmita Dash, Bhagirath Behera
 
Subjects
 
Keywords
JEL Codes:P48Q23Q57
ConservationInstitutionCollective actionProperty rightSimilipalIndia
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
Institutional dynamics and NRM outcomes: A review 
Study area and data 
The presence of local institutions inside STR 
Explaining the factors influencing forest conservation outcomes in the STR 
Results and discussion 
Conclusion and policy implications 

Abstract

This study analyses the factors responsible for effective management and conservation of forest resources in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in India. Both primary and secondary data have been used for analyzing the determinants of forest conservation outcome in 35 sample villages located in and around STR. The result shows that forest growth is positively associated with function of local management institutions, caste homogeneity, and distance to forest department and nearest market. Moreover, it is concluded that efforts at improving forest conservation outcomes should not be confined to the poorest communities, as rich communities are largely responsible for adopting degrading resource use practices. Our result recommends the revival of existing local institutions and promotion of more participatory community management approaches in the STR. Further, in order to reduce trust deficit that exist between fringe villages and the forest department, more usufruct and ownership rights over resource should be transferred to local people, which in turn may enhance better forest conservation outcome.

DOI:10.1016/j.jfe.2015.09.001