WOMEN AS ECOFEMINIST LEADERS: TRANSFORMING FOREST MANAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT IN WEST BENGAL

This study, grounded in ecofeminism, explores the intersection of women’s empowerment and forest conservation within women-led Forest Protection Committees (FPCs) in West Bengal. It highlights how women’s leadership in Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) challenges patriarchal power structures and enhances sustainable conservation efforts. By incorporating traditional ecological knowledge, women not only improve forest management practices but also gain increased social standing, economic independence, and decision-making power. The findings offer actionable insights into the links between gender equality and environmental governance, with relevance for policymakers in the Global South.