RUPFOR was carrying out a field-level research study on assessing the impact of introduction of JFM in forest areas located in the Mayurbhanj District of Orissa, which have traditionally been protected and managed by self-initiated forest protection groups (SIFPGs) in the form of Community Forest Management (CFM). This study was to analyze various pros and cons of this action. While the argument for introducing JFM was that it would provide legal recognition to these self-initiated CFM groups and strengthen them institutionally, there was however also a counter-argument that introducing JFM would help the Forest Department to extend its authority over forest areas hitherto managed solely by local communities and therefore actually weaken the latter. Another apprehension was that imposing a uniform and externally devised institutional structure like JFM may greatly reduce the effectiveness and flexibility of these traditional institutions in managing, what are essentially, site-specific problems. This study looked into all the above mentioned aspects to identify areas where policy improvements are required. The findings and recommendations of this research was submitted to MoEF to aid the government's forest policy-making process. One round of fieldwork has been completed and a preliminary report will be ready shortly.