The objective of this project is to understand the extent to which the policy, legal and administrative framework and the de facto forest resource management and access opportunities in participatory forest management support or obstruct sustainable livelihoods, especially of the poor.

WII prepared a policy review paper titled "Participatory Forest Management in India - National Policy and Implementation Strategies." Subsequently, WII provided support to the state-level partners to carry out field studies in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.

WII is currently working on policy papers related to issues such as forest policy formulation, implementation and review processes, role of donors, role of Panchayati Raj Institutions and impact of recent court judgments on participatory forest management.