Social Capital and Conflict Resolution: Lessons from a Community Forestry Programme in Karnataka

The paper highlights the conflict in benefit sharing among four different communities (hamlets) spread over different geographical areas in a conservation and development programme. All the four hamlets are expected to contribute equally to the conservation and management activities. In return, these hamlets are provided financial assistance to be utilised for development activities. Problem in the community arises when the grants under the development component are released – as to how the grants are to be shared among different hamlets? The paper seeks to understand how individuals/sections within groups use conflict as a tool or strategy to get benefits and how certain actors involved in the process attempt to minimize or resolve community/group conflict? How does the Managing Committee negotiate in the conflict situation with the beneficiaries and how such conflicts can have a negative impact on the conservation activities is also discussed.