Gender, Trees, and Fuel: Social Forestry in West Bengal, India

Abstract

This paper argues that participation in, and benefits from, social forestry are mediated by both class and gender. In three case-study villages in Midnapore District, West Bengal, it was found that although farm forestry was taken up by some members of all income groups, the lowest level of participation was among the poorest households. The level of women's participation in planning and implementation was less than that of men; however, women are at present gaining significant fuel benefits in the form of eucalyptus leaves. Class divisions between women also result in differentiated access to the new fuel resource.