While Dr.Mohan Dharia was a Member of the National Wasteland Development Board, He had moved a resolution for Joint Forestry Management (JFM) to involve local Adivasi tribals and nearby people to protect and conserve forest in the country. As a result in spite of illegal tree falling nearly 170 million hectares of forest lands have come under forest or green cover since 1991-92.

Along with several other villages, Vanarai Village Gokwadi in Bhor Tehasil of Pune district has successfully participated in JFM. With the involvement of villagers, the forest adjoining the village is well protected. It is now full with two lakh Teak and about 5000 sandalwood trees. This village received a reward of Rs.2 lakhs from the Forest Department, Govt. of Maharashtra. The villagers took an active part in nabbing the sandalwood thieves who attempted to cut and transport sandalwood from Gokwadi forest.