Shah, A. C.

This brief article states that participatory forest management , which has been re- emphasised in current Indian government policies, is not only an opportunity for people to manage their own forest, but also a challenge for government staff as it demands a reversal in their attitudes towards people. The paper suggests that government officials should try to learn from the experience of other organisations which have been using participatory methods, such as Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, in natural resource management.