This seminar paper uses the case of Gujarat State to discuss the process of adoption of social forestry concepts within the planting and protection programmes of the forestry extension service. The author provides a description of land tenure and institutional set-ups and traces the process of decentralisation and transfer of powers to the panchayats. Five different social forestry models are outlined possessing different degrees of government commitment and community involvement, and associated technical and organisational problems are discussed. Successful organisations are noted to be those which are independent but have dedicated staff, appropriate skills and commitment of funds from the government. The paper concludes that there is a need for education to bring about a change of attitude in personnel to ensure commitment as well as increased contact between staff, local people and the media. Above all the importance of the flow of benefits to local people is stressed.