ADAPTIVE COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT: AN ALTERNATE PARADIGM Paper for presentation at the RCSD International Conference on “Politics of the Commons: Articulating Development and Strengthening Local Practices”, Chiang Mai, Thailand from 11 – 14 July, 2003 By Prateep K. Nayak 1 Foundation for Ecological Security PO. 29, NDDB Campus, Anand 388001, India Phone: 91-2692-261239 /261402, Fax: 91-2692-262087 / 262196 Prateep@fes.org.in or nayakprateep@hotmail.com KEYWORDS: Adaptive Community Forest Management, Institution, rules, policies, conservation and livelihood. 1 The author is working with the Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand, India. The ideas and views expressed in the paper are based on the author’s experience and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the organization he is currently working with.