Social forestry extension refers to the organized process of communicating knowledge, skills, and motivation to rural people for the planning, establishment, protection, and sustainable management of trees and forests on community, private, and institutional lands. It emerged as a response to deforestation, fuelwood scarcity, environmental degradation, and the declining availability of forest-based resources essential for rural livelihoods. The concept emphasizes people’s participation and views forests not merely as state-controlled resources but as integral components of rural life, contributing to ecological balance, income generation, and social well-being. The concept of social forestry extension is rooted in the idea of “forestry for the people and by the people.” It aims to integrate forestry activities with agricultural and rural development systems by involving local communities in decision-making and management. Social forestry extension seeks to create awareness about the multiple benefits of trees, such as soil conservation, moisture retention, fodder supply, fuelwood availability, timber production, and climate regulation. It also addresses social objectives like employment generation, poverty reduction, and empowerment of marginalized groups through collective action and access to natural resources. Social forestry extension differs from conventional forestry extension in its emphasis on decentralization, participation, and communication. While traditional forestry focused largely on protection and commercial exploitation of forests, social forestry extension prioritizes human needs and local knowledge. It recognizes farmers, women, landless laborers, and village institutions as active stakeholders rather than passive beneficiaries. Extension in this context functions as a two-way communication process, enabling feedback, adaptation, and learning rather than simple technology transfer. The system of social forestry extension operates through a structured network of institutions, personnel,