International Journal of Social Forestry

International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2008, 1(1):1-26.
DYNAMICS OF DEVOLUTION PROCESS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE FORESTS

Juan M. Pulhin and Makoto Inoue

Abstract
This paper analyses the dynamics of devolution process in the management of the Philippine forestry sector over the last few decades. It synthesizes relevant policy documents, grey and published literature, results of multi-stakeholder consultations and interviews with selected people instrumental in the forestry devolution process. The study reveals that the forest devolution process is driven by a combination of environmental, socio-economic, and political factors both at the national and international levels. The dynamics, forms and effects of the devolution process are shaped by the interaction of multiple stakeholders and their varying interests and priorities thus making it a very complicated process, difficult to predict, and its outcomes, hard to control. Despite wide coverage of areas devolved to local communities totaling to close to 6 million hectares, the paper concludes that current nationwide outcomes of state-sponsored forest devolution in the Philippines is yet far from achieving its stated objectives. Recent experiences in terms of suspension of resource use rights and cancellation of Community-Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMA) indicate that political interests at the national level remain to be the major basis for policy decisions over the local people’s needs. Despite current limitations, the Philippine experience offers some valuable lessons to other countries of similar situation on how state-sponsored forest devolution strategies could be enhanced to improve rural livelihoods and promote forest rehabilitation and protection.

Keywords: devolution process, forest management, forest policy, The Philippines.

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International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2008, 1(1):27-49.
FOREST GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT IN SRI LANKA: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Mangala De Zoysa and Makoto Inoue

Abstract
The forest sector of Sri Lanka is in a transitional phase of forest governance through devolution of authority by allowing communities greater access to forestlands and deriving supportive policy reforms. Forest governance in community forests addresses the relationships, rights, responsibilities and incentives among stakeholders including forest communities, industries and government. The paper reviews the literature and discusses the community forest governance of the country in terms of: history of forest management, experiences in good governance, impediments for good forest governance, forest governance programs, managerial concerns and challenges, and policy implications for good forest governance. The history discloses the ancient system of community based forest management and the shifting towards bureaucratic agencies under the colonial domination, and continued governance system until 1980s. Good governance experiences are exposed through participation, accountability, predictability and transparency. Centralized hierarchy, lack of tenure security and authority, mistrust of government, lack of legal reforms and poor law enforcement, and institutional inefficiencies are recognized as impediments. Three major governance programs/systems to promote forest governance are explained. Stakeholder participation and building consensus, and forest management plan and training are discussed as managerial concerns. Policy implications are discussed with regard to local authority and community rights, law enforcement and stewardship development, research, extension and incentives, and market reform and forest certification.

Keywords: forest governance, community forest management, Sri Lanka.

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International Journal of Social Forestry, 2008, 1(1):50-60.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY POLICY AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: AN EXPERIENCE FROM NEPAL

Keshav Raj Kanel and Ganga Ram Dahal

Abstract
The concept of community forestry is not new anymore, but there is a growing interest among policy makers, donors, and development practitioners to understand the extent to which community forestry contributes on economy of individual households and nation in general. Nepal’s community forestry is a unique model of devolution in Asia and has experience of more than two decades. Therefore, it is time to assess the economic implication of community forestry in Nepal, for self learning and scaling up of good practices to other countries. In this backdrop, this paper presents an analytical view of community forestry from economic perspectives, particularly looking on the contribution towards people’s livelihood and income generation.

Keywords: decentralization, livelihoods, forest based income.

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International Journal of Social Forestry (IJSF), 2008, 1(1):61-82.
TRADITION AND THE INFLUENCE OF MONETARY ECONOMY IN SWIDDEN AGRICULTURE AMONG THE KENYAH PEOPLE OF EAST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Ndan Imang , Makoto Inoue , Mustofa Agung Sardjono

Abstract
Swidden agriculture, the so called ladang , system has been practised by the indigenous Kenyah people in Apau Kayan for centuries. The ladang system can be regarded as a kind of social forestry practice in the tropics insofar as it involves local people in a process of forest management and succession to ensure economic, ecological and social benefits for the communities and simultaneously sustain the resources. Since the 1950s, thousands of Kenyah people migrated from Apau Kayan downstream to the Mahakam and Kayan, river lowlands where monetary economy had already infiltrated to varying degrees. Monetary economy can lead to changes in the importance of swidden agriculture, changes in ladang practices including traditional knowledge and the farming calendar, labor allocation for mutual aid and reciprocal work, land productivity, livelihood income sources, and gender role in the ladang practices. Despite the influence of the monetary economy, the Kenyah still prefer farming as the main livelihood strategy, maintaining cohesiveness and social ties in daily life among themselves through traditional forms of ladang work organization. Kenyah people in general are quite responsive to changes in livelihood diversification, but rather unenthusiastic about practicing new inorganic agricultural practices due to the legacy of former values and the importance that they still place on strong social bonds and interaction.

Keywords: swidden agriculture, ladang, Dayak Kenyah, monetary economy, communal-reciprocal work

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International Journal of Social Forestry, 2008, 1(1):83-95.
IDENTIFYING STAKEHOLDERS: APPROACH TO SOCIAL FORESTRY CONFLICTS

Ivan Gyozo Somlai

Abstract
In any conflict, there are many components to a negotiated settlement. One of the first essential aspects is the determination of legitimate stakeholders. This is not as easy as it seems, especially when considering protracted community-based conflicts that may have included violence, wherein many people have been adversely affected and many families disadvantaged. Difficulties could arise from the outset in the formation of negotiation or mediation efforts: obviously, were everyone to be considered a stakeholder, there would ensue a debilitating, ineffective conciliatory process. This introductory piece offers some suggestions for selecting and prioritising stakeholders so that the process of actual negotiation (with mediation, if any) could be undertaken in an orderly and transparent manner.

Keywords: alternative conflict resolution, stakeholder identification, Trans-Stakeholder Approach.