Located in the western Himalayan region, the topography is mountainous and of mixed Shivalik- Himalayan formation. The area experiences a sub-tropical climate with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm. The forest ecosystem has south-facing slopes of the Dhauladhar range. The forest is regenerating with a mixed species composition. Major species found here are beul, khirik or toon, mulberry or shahtoot, aam, amrud, aadu, naakha (a variety of pear), kachnar, sisso and tuni. Legally, the area under community conservation is a Demarcated Protected Forest.

The main communities residing in the village are Rajputs, Brahmins, Mehras, Julahas, Gaddis (migratory pastoralists) and Tarkhans. Chamars, Doomnas, Kumhars, Jogis, Charajs and Mashkus are the main scheduled caste communities. The total human population is 900 living in 109 households. Agriculture and service are the main occupations. The livestock population is 450. The villagers depend on the forest for fodder, fuelwood and other biomass needs.

Most decisions in the village are taken in the general body meeting (consisting of both men and women), which takes place roughly four times a year. The executive committee consists of 9 people, elected in an open process. Women as well as lower castes can be a part of the executive committee. Conflicts are resolved within the village itself in the traditional system of conflict resolution. Some more active individuals in the village have subsequently registered an NGO for working on the issues of village development and forest management.

ll the villagers, men and women of all castes, under the management of Gram Utthan Sabha of Kamla village took charge of 5 ha patch of forest and defined rules and regulations for its protection:

Earlier, there was a full-time guard to look after the forest, paid for by voluntary contributions by the villagers in cash and kind. This practice was subsequently discontinued as it was no longer required.

There has been remarkable regeneration and growth of planted species—all broad-leaved— without added pressure on the other adjacent forests. The protected forest is now dense and close-canopied. Besides increase in vegetation cover, an increase in tree and shrub diversity and consequent increase in bird diversity has been noticed. Local species of grasses have regenerated and some which had disappeared have resurfaced.

The community has benefited by the increase in fodder production, prevention of soil erosion and now enjoys moral authority over forest department. According to the forest department the initiative has decreased the conflict between the farmers and rhesus macaque monkeys over crop damage caused by these primates. Now there appears to be a much higher availability of food and 245 fruits in the forest.