Organizers: Ajith Chandran, Lianzhen Xu, Weiye Wang & Monika Singh (University of British Columbia, Canada)
Communication challenges in joint forest management in India: perceptions of senior Indian forest offi cers. Chandran, A.
(University of British Columbia, Canada; ajith.chandran@alumni.ubc.ca).
The Indian Forest Department has been implementing joint forest management for the past two decades with considerable success in improving the livelihood of rural communities by regenerating forests. With an estimated 70,000 village institutions co-managing forest with local forest department, communication between the department and the community has been an
important element. Analysis of a survey of 52 senior forest service offi cers conducted across India has reiterated the importance of communication in forest management in general and its crucial role in joint forest management in particular. The survey conducted in 2012 looked at the emerging issues specifi cally in the backdrop of social and technological changes in rural India and the probable challenges that need to be addressed to improve governance and citizen role. Despite the common belief about the forest department as a monolith organisation, the perceptions among the senior forest department are varied and progressive.
The suggestions from these offi cers, heading senior positions in the state and central departments, give directions on how future forest management strategies in India may evolve.
Creating both confl icts and solution between customary and legislative regulation – case of China. Dong, J.
(Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China; dsz.djy@163.com), Liu, J. (Renmin University of China, China;
liujinlong@ruc.edu.cn).
With the implementation of collective forest tenure reform since 2003 in China, many confl icts around forest tenure have sprung up, severely hindering the reform and social stability. By constructing an analytical framework of the country, society, and mafi a-like gangs, this paper analyzed a confl ict around a transfer of collective forestland, and revealed the checks and balances present in the system. Collective farmers often have an impact on local governments through continual appeals and petitions to force them to take benefi cial actions. Local governments, who were sympathetic to farmers’ experiences and also knew legality of transfer, usually play the role of coordinator rather than arbitrator. Forestry investors have been found to use unoffi cial measures, such as employing mafi a-like gangs to reach their end goal; and in some cases, local governments tolerated these behaviors as a way to end the confl ict. As a result, all three parties compromised to realize equilibrium, and the confl ict was resolved. The study showed that while China was transforming from the traditional rule of right to modern rule of laws, the development and solution of collective confl icts of forest tenure were accompanied with the integration and confl ict between formal and informal institutions, legislation and custom.
ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Project as a successful model of regional cooperation for human resource development and local community improvement. Kang, H., Lee, P., Park, J. (Seoul National University, Republic of Korea;
silvi@chol.com; shsnu337@gmail.com; parkjeongho82@gmail.com), Bang, M. (University for Peace, Costa Rica;
bangmiin@gmail.com).
Upon the degraded forest ecosystems and thus declined livelihood of local people across Asian countries, it is essential to develop human resources to restore these situations in collaboration with local people. ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Project (AKECOP), launched in 2000 based on the ASEAN-Korea Summit, has focused on developing human resources to deal with environmental issues in Southeast Asia’s tropical forest regions. AKECOP has organized and implemented a range of graduate courses, short-term training courses, training workshops and conferences for local researchers in the ASEAN Member States (AMS). The training programs have focused on sharing of technology and information among AMS as well as between AMS and Korea. The programs have enhanced the capacity of researchers and institutions in managing AMS’s degraded terrestrial and mangrove forest ecosystems. Some programs such as agroforestry practice have focused on sustainable income and food security in collaboration between the trained local researchers and local community. Based upon the successful experience of AKECOP, further projects for improving livelihood of local people in Asian countries as well as AMS are expected to be developed.
To do so, it is required for AKECOP to cooperate with various international organizations including Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO).
Participatory approach to reduce deforestation and forest degradation: a case study from Houykhing Village Cluster, Laung Prabang Province of Lao PDR. Paudel, S. (University of British Columbia, Canada; shyam.paudel@gmail.com), Hiratsuka, M. (Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, Japan; hiratsuka@murc.jp), Masahiro, A. (Waseda University, Japan;
masahiro_amano@waseda.jp).
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has the highest proportion of forest in Southeast Asia. Forests have been an essential part of the national economy and rural livelihoods in Lao PDR. However, the forest cover has declined rapidly since last few decades from 49% coverage in 1982 to 41% in 2002. A socio-economic study was carried out to assess the driver of deforestation and to develop strategies to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Various participatory tools were used to gather informa-tion from the village. The study found that forest concession, shifting cultivainforma-tion, forest encroachment for agricultural land expansion, uncontrolled livestock grazing in forests and fuel wood based energy for cooking and heating were the major drivers of deforestation. After assessing the current situation, it was concluded that the complete abolishment of the current slash and burn practice was not a feasible option. A phase-wise and gradual approach has been recommended with the focus to improve the livelihood condition of people by improving the current agricultural practices and developing an agricultural market system. In the long run, the study suggested encouraging villagers to adopt permanent agriculture system with intensive farming by applying scientifi c land use and management practices.
Increasing tree cover in degrading landscapes: integration and intensifi cation of smallholder forest culture in the Alutilla Valley, Matiranga, Bangladesh. Rahman, S. (University of Copenhagen, Denmark; sumonsociology@yahoo.com), Rahman, M.
(University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh; mfrahman@yahoo.com), Sunderland, T. (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Indonesia; t.sunderland@cgiar.org).
Research was conducted in Alutilla Valley in eastern Bangladesh to identify the nature of existing agroforestry systems and to identify potential agroforestry models that could ameliorate currently degrading forest resources Data were collected through farmer participatory research and a structured quarterly survey in two villages. Qualitative and supplementary quantitative analysis methods were used to assess the fi nancial potential of agroforestry systems. Various patterns of agroforestry exist in the study site, but all have two common principles, namely integration with agriculture and multi-functionality. Two agroforestry models
suitable for adoption by farmers have been identifi ed. Multi-strata agroforestry, based on a fruit and timber tree canopy with vegetables and tuber species in the understorey, can be practiced in the shifting cultivation fi elds near settlements. Fruit and timber tree-based conservation agroforestry is well suited to manage large-scale biologically depleted landscapes. Both systems yield early fi nancial returns, facilitating the change from shifting cultivation to multi-strata agroforestry or fruit and tree-based conservation agroforestry.
Changing the forest landscape in China. Wang, G., Innes, J. (University of British Columba, Canada; guangyu.wang@ubc.ca;
john.innes@ubc.ca), Zhuang, A., Miao, G. (State Forestry Administration, China; zhuangism@hotmail.com;
mikebj312@gmail.com).
Chinese forests and forestry have been experiencing a dramatic change in the past fi fteen years. Since 1998, after the devastating fl oods swept through China, the government introduced several forest development projects known as the six key forestry programs. These have now expanded to eight programs, with more than $500 billion invested in the forestry sector. Through the implementation of forest tenure reforms, taxation and investment systems, payments for ecosystem services, and China’s WTO entry, China’s forestry has not only played an important role in relation to domestic needs, but has also shaped the fl ow of global wood trade. We used forest inventory results, 15 years of national and regional statistical data, and a questionnaire survey to analyze the effectiveness of the major forest-related programs and policy changes. Commercial forests, particularly short-rotation forests, have increased as a result of the tenure reform, and the area of ecological forest has increased through fi ve of the key forest programs and through ecological compensation. Interactions between forest policies and programs have not always been positive. A systematic design and approach are badly needed for the development of future policies and programs. The lessons learned from China may benefi t other countries in transition.
Posters
Emerging role of jurisprudence in shaping forest management in India. Singh, M. (University of British Columbia, Canada;
monika.singh@alumni.ubc.ca).
Increasingly the Indian judiciary is directing the bureaucracy for forest lands’ management. This change can be partly attributed to different perspectives on people’s rights and access to forest lands and resources. On one hand the State governments combine with the corporate bodies to exploit the rich resources located in forest areas. On the other, the tribal communities, dependent on forests, oppose the exploitation and demand their traditional rights over the forest resources. This paper examines fi ve judgments pronounced in India dealing with access and rights of tribal communities over forest lands they have traditionally used. Using content analysis, I examine the situation from the jurisprudence point of view. I found the basis of the judgments were related to the environment or religion, and not based on ensuring people’s rights. Despite the Forest Rights Act, made to undo this historical injustice, factors other than people’s rights prevail. I conclude that jurisprudence does not necessarily lead to justice or undoing the injustice. It is rather a tool that can be used for making decisions; and it can be used for having an outcome of justice if used correctly. In forest management it is being used to fi ght for peoples’ rights over their traditional and cultural use of resources.
Community involvement in forest management (CIFMs) to improve livelihoods in Indonesia. Widyati, E. (Forestry Research
& Development Agency (FORDA), Indonesia; enny_widyati@yahoo.com).
In Indonesia forests are managed by government, hence local people have very limited access to utilize the resource as a livelihood. Consequently, the communities are generally categorized as indigent. These situations lead to forest insecurity such as incidences of timber stealing, species devastation, land grabbing and fi re. Community involvement in forest management (CIFM) is required both to improve community welfare and forest security. This paper will discuss some implemented CIFMs in Indonesia. Data on community income are calculated based on fi eld studies, interviews, statistical data from the local government, and related published studies and reports. Studies were carried out in (East and Central) Java, Central Kalimantan and Jambi Province. Results showed that CIFMs in Indonesia were very site specifi c. In Java CIFMs was conducted by Perhutani, a government-owned company engaged contiguous-forest community. This activity increased forest security due to existing-voluntary forest guard in the society. CIFM in Central Kalimantan was piloted by the Watershed Management Unit which involved nearby transmigrants. This action improved the rehabilitation success of peat land. Whereas in Jambi CIFM was directed by the Forestry Service, and succeeded in Dragon Blood rattan preservation. The communities equally increased their income as well as improved their food, energy and water supplies.
Discourse strategy and action option: the natural reserve and peasants under the fi shing and grazing ban policy.
Zhang, Y., Yuan, M., Liu, J. (Renmin University of China, China; zhangyiwen@ruc.edu.cn; foreverjane2006@126.com;
liujinlong_jl@hotmail.com).
This paper examines the strategies and actions of peasants and natural reserve managers when they are in confl ict under the fi shing and grazing ban policy, trying to understand how both sides use different discourse resources to uphold their interests.
This research uses the actor-oriented approach and is based on the survey data acquired by in-depth interviews and semi-structural questionnaires in M Village in Northwest China. The fi nding is that peasants make use of moral economics discourse in fi ghting for their basic livelihood and adopt two strategies: direct rebellions including grazing and fi shing without permission, and exaggerating the infl uence of the fi shing and grazing ban policy to better bargain with reserve managers. Meanwhile, the reserve managers rest on the environmental protection discourse supported by laws and state authority. They actively participate in the policy formulation, implementation and monitoring process and emphasize the importance of policies to guarantee their power and pursue their own interests. Due to the lack of institutional safeguards, the peasants have an inferior status and cannot participate in the policy-making process. Their self-organized ability of using natural resources sustainably is ignored.