Joint Forest Management in Katanino, Zambia: Inappropriate Property Regime Change?

Abstract

This research study reports on a Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in Katanino Area, Zambia. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey, unstructured group interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Results show that forest resources from Katanino Forest contributed only 3% to the total household incomes while 40% of respondents reported not obtaining any forest resources from Katanino Forest. Only 12 residents were involved in JFM activities while 60% of the respondents reported never having attended a meeting where JFM issues were discussed. Despite the weak institutional framework, we found the Katanino Forest to be in a good physical condition. This most likely reflects a situation of low rivalry in terms of consumption and medium costs of exclusion; normally not a situation where a rather costly common property regime would be a fitting institution. The good condition of the forest could be seen as an indication of the success, to some extent, of the previous property regime and the redundancy of a property regime change at the time, especially for an area where the local communities had alternative sources of forest resources. A main lesson to be learnt is to avoid costly and inappropriate property regime changes. One should design JFM policies to involve various actors, social institutions, and local organizations from the start; to provide and develop local ownership; and to take appropriate consideration of local resource conditions and social heterogeneity.