Answer: 1971
Notes: Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India originated from West Bengal at the Arabari Research Range in West Midnapur District in 1971 as an experiment. It has evolved as a major component of forest management in the state. West Bengal is the pioneer of JFM in India. The main objective is to reduce the biotic pressure on the forests, so that the forests are conserved to the most productive levels and the biodiversity of the forests remain unaffected. The JFM works in the states and encourages Panchayats to participate in the conservation and management works. This resolution was taken in 1996 and revised in 2008. Presently the JFM is working in the Darjeeling hills and Western plateau areas of the state.
