Abstract
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):81-100.
STATUS OF JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT IN INDIA: SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF FOREST PARTICIPATION IN A DYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION SETTING
Soumyendra Kishore Datta and Krishanu Sarkar
Abstract
Protection of forest resources presupposes active participation of forest dependent communities. Active participation in forest conservation activities requires a sense of commitment, attachment and motivation on the part of the forest dwellers. In this paper a dynamic optimization model is employed to focus on the likely socio-economic determinants of participation. On the basis of a case study in a remote rural region in India, index of determinants of participation and actual participation indices are derived and found to be only moderately correlated. Despite the existence of small size, low quality agricultural land and irrigation facilities that encourage participation, poor level of social cohesion, absence of awareness and implementation of forest extension programmes, lack of motivation by forest committees, non-government organizations (NGOs) and Panchayats, fear of eviction from forest land, biased administrative machinery and lack of trust in the unjust efforts of forest department etc. stand in the way of effective participation by villagers and need immediate policy intervention. Grant of permanent tenurial right to forest dependent people, mitigating the fear of eviction, extension of various support facilities and ensuring a cohesive trust between forest department and forest protection committees seem most urgent for ensuring meaningful participation Keywords: forest, participation, determinants, trust, eviction, India.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):101-133.
COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS IN SUDAN: CASE STUDY OF ELRAWASHDA AND ELAIN NATURAL FORESTS RESERVES
Amani Abdel Rahim Kobbail
Abstract
This research tries to examine pilot projects activities in the forest reserves based on collaborative management. The paper explores how the management system is attempting to integrate the trust concept to communities’ continuing protection of the forest resources base. The paper also examines the social and economic impacts of the management system and its impact on sustainable production. Two forests reserves sites at Kordofan and Elgedaref states of Sudan were selected. A social Survey was carried out and respondents were selected randomly. A questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. This method followed by participants’ observations, participatory rapid appraisal and review of the documentary sources. Calculation of the percentages and Chi-square test were used as analytical tools. The study shows that collaborative forest management in Elain and Elrawashda represents a progressive shift towards state recognition of the interdependence between the well being of forests and the well being of local people for subsistence and livelihood needs. Local community institutions are protecting the forest more effectively. Results reveal that the system succeeded in testing the provision of 1989 Forest Act, which allows people or communities to privately control areas of woodlands. It has gone beyond securing rights for local people and helps them to develop management plans. It succeeded in carrying other related forestry activities, which generate income. It succeeded in benefits’ sharing arrangement and motivates villagers to participate. The findings show that the case of Elain and Elrawashda forest reserves management provides a promising example for participatory management. Keywords: forest management, conservation, rehabilitation, development, sustainability.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):134-150.
GENDER EQUITY UNDER THE MODIFIED TAUNGYA SYSTEM (MTS): A CASE OF THE BECHEM FOREST DISTRICT OF GHANA
S. Abugre, A.I. Asare and J.A. Anaba
Abstract
The study was carried out in the Bechem Forest District of Ghana to examine and analyse issues of gender under the Modified Taungya System. The objective of the study was to find out if there was equity in the distribution of resources between the sexes under the modified taungya system. A total of 141 participants (made up of 40 nursery operators and 101 farmers) were randomly sampled in four communities for administration of a questionnaire. The study revealed that women provided more labour, mostly in less labour intensive activities at the nursery. Access to productive resources, extension services was almost the same for both sexes. Rights to land were varied among communities under the MTS, being influenced by the type of inheritance practised. Findings seem to suggest that women play as equal a role as men under the programme, and the benefits for both sexes seem equitable. Keywords: gender, taungya, equity, access, resources, empowerment.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):151-163.
EMPOWERING WOMEN’S CAPACITY FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS IN NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT TRADE IN CAMEROON
Abdon Awono , Ousseynou Ndoye and Luke Preece
Abstract
In Cameroon, women as the primary gatherers and traders of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have limited access to processing technologies, marketing strategies and market information. The objective of this paper is to explore how CIFOR research and capacity building implemented from 2000 have been perceived by Cameroonian traders. An evaluation of the program took place in 2006 with thirty-eight traders out of seventy-two traders trained. Of the traders initially interviewed, 95 percent of them were women. Eighty-one percent of traders said their incomes increased as a result of the training received, 11 percent of traders mentioned a negative impact and 8 percent reported no impact. The average increase in income for those who benefited was 55 percent. The quantity of, and revenues obtained from, NTFPs increased from 2003 to 2004, but declined in 2005. These changes were related to decline or growth in gathering NTFPs, changes in demand, increased competition in the marketplace and poor health of the traders. The revenue gained from NTFPs was used for basic household needs—school fees, food and health costs. Investments in home improvements and household goods were also popular, but many traders also invested in phones, televisions and radios. These results indicate that a capacity building programme could reduce the constraints faced by traders by providing them with marketing information, accounting tools and processing and storage technology skills. A cost effective market information system could then be developed and scaled up. Keywords: NTFP, trade, capacity building, perceptions, Cameroon.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):164-187.
LAND USE ACTIVITIES AMONG FOREST ENVIRONMENTS’ DWELLERS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR LIVELIHOOD AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
I.O. Azeez , O.S. Ikponmwonba , Labode Popoola and T.O. Amusa
Abstract
Although urbanization may be increasing globally, over 75.0% of Nigerian populations are still living in rural areas. Extensive rainfed farming used to sustain this population is limited by loss of forest biodiversity, climate change and exposure of fragile soil. This study reports the socio-economic background of Edo State forests environments dwellers in relation to their land use activities with a view to positively harnessing the synergy of the two variables for improving human livelihood and by extension sustainable forest management. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 296 rural dwellers in settlements within and around three forest reserves: Ehor, Okomu, and Sakpoba. Information obtained was subjected to descriptive and chi-square test statistics at p = 0.05. Results revealed that the most popular land use activity within the forest reserves is farming (94.9%). A majority of the respondents practice mixed cropping with multiple choices of major crops through the taungya system. Socio economic status of rural dwellers affect their awareness of forest reserves, consent to use of forest reserves, willingness to plant trees on farm land and exploitation of forest resources. While participatory management of the reserves is expected to impact the economy of the study area, awareness of and exploitation of forest reserves as well as willingness to plant trees will on the whole influence the participation of rural dwellers in the management of the reserves. Keywords: land use activities; socio-economic variables; livelihood; sustainable forest management
STATUS OF JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT IN INDIA: SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF FOREST PARTICIPATION IN A DYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION SETTING
Soumyendra Kishore Datta and Krishanu Sarkar
Abstract
Protection of forest resources presupposes active participation of forest dependent communities. Active participation in forest conservation activities requires a sense of commitment, attachment and motivation on the part of the forest dwellers. In this paper a dynamic optimization model is employed to focus on the likely socio-economic determinants of participation. On the basis of a case study in a remote rural region in India, index of determinants of participation and actual participation indices are derived and found to be only moderately correlated. Despite the existence of small size, low quality agricultural land and irrigation facilities that encourage participation, poor level of social cohesion, absence of awareness and implementation of forest extension programmes, lack of motivation by forest committees, non-government organizations (NGOs) and Panchayats, fear of eviction from forest land, biased administrative machinery and lack of trust in the unjust efforts of forest department etc. stand in the way of effective participation by villagers and need immediate policy intervention. Grant of permanent tenurial right to forest dependent people, mitigating the fear of eviction, extension of various support facilities and ensuring a cohesive trust between forest department and forest protection committees seem most urgent for ensuring meaningful participation Keywords: forest, participation, determinants, trust, eviction, India.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):101-133.
COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS IN SUDAN: CASE STUDY OF ELRAWASHDA AND ELAIN NATURAL FORESTS RESERVES
Amani Abdel Rahim Kobbail
Abstract
This research tries to examine pilot projects activities in the forest reserves based on collaborative management. The paper explores how the management system is attempting to integrate the trust concept to communities’ continuing protection of the forest resources base. The paper also examines the social and economic impacts of the management system and its impact on sustainable production. Two forests reserves sites at Kordofan and Elgedaref states of Sudan were selected. A social Survey was carried out and respondents were selected randomly. A questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. This method followed by participants’ observations, participatory rapid appraisal and review of the documentary sources. Calculation of the percentages and Chi-square test were used as analytical tools. The study shows that collaborative forest management in Elain and Elrawashda represents a progressive shift towards state recognition of the interdependence between the well being of forests and the well being of local people for subsistence and livelihood needs. Local community institutions are protecting the forest more effectively. Results reveal that the system succeeded in testing the provision of 1989 Forest Act, which allows people or communities to privately control areas of woodlands. It has gone beyond securing rights for local people and helps them to develop management plans. It succeeded in carrying other related forestry activities, which generate income. It succeeded in benefits’ sharing arrangement and motivates villagers to participate. The findings show that the case of Elain and Elrawashda forest reserves management provides a promising example for participatory management. Keywords: forest management, conservation, rehabilitation, development, sustainability.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):134-150.
GENDER EQUITY UNDER THE MODIFIED TAUNGYA SYSTEM (MTS): A CASE OF THE BECHEM FOREST DISTRICT OF GHANA
S. Abugre, A.I. Asare and J.A. Anaba
Abstract
The study was carried out in the Bechem Forest District of Ghana to examine and analyse issues of gender under the Modified Taungya System. The objective of the study was to find out if there was equity in the distribution of resources between the sexes under the modified taungya system. A total of 141 participants (made up of 40 nursery operators and 101 farmers) were randomly sampled in four communities for administration of a questionnaire. The study revealed that women provided more labour, mostly in less labour intensive activities at the nursery. Access to productive resources, extension services was almost the same for both sexes. Rights to land were varied among communities under the MTS, being influenced by the type of inheritance practised. Findings seem to suggest that women play as equal a role as men under the programme, and the benefits for both sexes seem equitable. Keywords: gender, taungya, equity, access, resources, empowerment.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):151-163.
EMPOWERING WOMEN’S CAPACITY FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS IN NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT TRADE IN CAMEROON
Abdon Awono , Ousseynou Ndoye and Luke Preece
Abstract
In Cameroon, women as the primary gatherers and traders of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have limited access to processing technologies, marketing strategies and market information. The objective of this paper is to explore how CIFOR research and capacity building implemented from 2000 have been perceived by Cameroonian traders. An evaluation of the program took place in 2006 with thirty-eight traders out of seventy-two traders trained. Of the traders initially interviewed, 95 percent of them were women. Eighty-one percent of traders said their incomes increased as a result of the training received, 11 percent of traders mentioned a negative impact and 8 percent reported no impact. The average increase in income for those who benefited was 55 percent. The quantity of, and revenues obtained from, NTFPs increased from 2003 to 2004, but declined in 2005. These changes were related to decline or growth in gathering NTFPs, changes in demand, increased competition in the marketplace and poor health of the traders. The revenue gained from NTFPs was used for basic household needs—school fees, food and health costs. Investments in home improvements and household goods were also popular, but many traders also invested in phones, televisions and radios. These results indicate that a capacity building programme could reduce the constraints faced by traders by providing them with marketing information, accounting tools and processing and storage technology skills. A cost effective market information system could then be developed and scaled up. Keywords: NTFP, trade, capacity building, perceptions, Cameroon.
International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2010, 3(2):164-187.
LAND USE ACTIVITIES AMONG FOREST ENVIRONMENTS’ DWELLERS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR LIVELIHOOD AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT
I.O. Azeez , O.S. Ikponmwonba , Labode Popoola and T.O. Amusa
Abstract
Although urbanization may be increasing globally, over 75.0% of Nigerian populations are still living in rural areas. Extensive rainfed farming used to sustain this population is limited by loss of forest biodiversity, climate change and exposure of fragile soil. This study reports the socio-economic background of Edo State forests environments dwellers in relation to their land use activities with a view to positively harnessing the synergy of the two variables for improving human livelihood and by extension sustainable forest management. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 296 rural dwellers in settlements within and around three forest reserves: Ehor, Okomu, and Sakpoba. Information obtained was subjected to descriptive and chi-square test statistics at p = 0.05. Results revealed that the most popular land use activity within the forest reserves is farming (94.9%). A majority of the respondents practice mixed cropping with multiple choices of major crops through the taungya system. Socio economic status of rural dwellers affect their awareness of forest reserves, consent to use of forest reserves, willingness to plant trees on farm land and exploitation of forest resources. While participatory management of the reserves is expected to impact the economy of the study area, awareness of and exploitation of forest reserves as well as willingness to plant trees will on the whole influence the participation of rural dwellers in the management of the reserves. Keywords: land use activities; socio-economic variables; livelihood; sustainable forest management
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