ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the significance and level of social forestry's (SF) achievement in the light of its selected stated goals. It shows that, among these goals, a marginal rise in farmers’ income and some degree of social recognition for them are the only notable achievements. The chapter focuses on the involvement of the farmers in the project cycle: in planning, decision making, implementation and benefit sharing of SF projects. Although women’s activities are mostly confined around homestead, they have some informal market and social connections. Farmers have reported a number of major problems in the locality which constrain their living standard and economic progress, including inadequate housing; water scarcity; lack of marketing and transportation facilities; poor health-care facilities; and unconducive law and order situation. With economic amelioration, farmers “as a group” have achieved considerable social recognition.
