WOMEN, PANCHAYATS AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Based on feminist environmentalist approach and capability approach, the study argues that increased women’s participation in natural resource management will ensure not only the efficient functioning and long-term sustainability of institutions but also boost women’s empowerment. To overcome discrimination based on the gender division of labour and property women need to increase their bargaining powers and strengthen their role and capabilities in forest management through greater participation in decision-making. This field-based study has highlighted that both men and women have a stake in forest regeneration and protection, though from different perspectives. This interesting research focusing on the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in forest management with special reference to women’s participation provides very useful insights. This book will be of interest to social scientists, NGOs, programme managers, feminist researchers and activists.

Seema Mallik is faculty in the Department of Political Science at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar (Orissa). She joined the Orissa Education Service in 1999 and has served in different colleges. She has had her higher education at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where she obtained her Masters, MPhil and PhD degrees. She also worked with Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi and contributed articles in journals and edited books. Dr Mallik’s areas of research interest are gender, decentralization and environment.