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Though forests have proved resilient to past changes in climate, today s fragmented and degraded forests are more vulnerable to various hazards. Large areas of natural forest ecosystems are being converted into industrial plantations in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Though society will continue to use various forest products, it is imperative that the immense importance of forest biodiversity in maintaining current levels of production in perpetuity, and in moderating the global climate should also be addressed simultaneously. Against this backdrop, an endeavor has been made to capture some of the aspects of forest management through this book, such as reducing trend of forest coverage, participatory forest management practices etc., which are having contemporary relevance.

The book has captured some of the issues of contemporary concern in the perspective of forest management. It has also provided a glimpse of desirable practices helpful to those working in natural history, conservation and management of forest and wildlife. The different innovative practices exist around the globe have been extensively discussed in this book. New innovations like collaborative forest management, particularly in the context of Asian countries are expected to provide the readers a fresh outlook and a linear flow towards the understanding of contemporary forest management. Community-based forest management has been discussed in every possible detail, by presenting examples that spell out opportunities of success as well as challenges of shortcomings.