Recent evolutions of forest concessions status and dynamics in Central Africa

A Karsenty,C Ferron

doi:10.1505/146554817822295957

Abstract

Forest concessions in Central Africa are being subjected to a combination of pressures from agribusiness investments, population growth and the informalisation of the domestic timber trade. This puts them at a crossroad. Despite REDD+, the forest sector is not a policy priority for governments whose ambition is to achieve emerging country status. This article takes stock of the forest concessions and management rules in Central Africa, the slow progress of forest certification, and the difficulties facing the FLEGT/VPAs process, and proposes a preliminary assessment of the impact of the log export ban imposed in Gabon since 2011. Examples are given of the mounting influence of Asian companies, and the growing concentration of large corporate interests. The concession regime must be restructured to include multiple uses and take better account of local land rights inside and outside the concessions. The legitimacy of forest concessions depends on their transparency, their strict compliance with laws and regulations, and their provision of social and ecological guarantees. Certification has been a lever for improving the practices and the self-regulation of certified companies. Recognising the public interest of certification would legitimate financial and nonfinancial incentives for companies to become certified, and international transfers may contribute to the implementation of such incentives. (Resume d'auteur)

Highlights

Forest concessions are an important tool for sustainable forest management (SFM), especially considering that the majority of forests in tropical countries are public (Sunderlin et al 2008, Siry et al 2015)
It is useful to notice that concessions and especially forest concessions involve the idea of achieving a public work or service, at the own expense of the concessionaire
Preparation of forest management plans has been for a long time considered as a responsibility of the Government, through the forest service in West and Central Africa

Summary

Introduction

Forest concessions are an important tool for sustainable forest management (SFM), especially considering that the majority of forests in tropical countries are public (Sunderlin et al 2008, Siry et al 2015). The increased population density in much of the rural tropical areas and the legitimate claims to forestlands often considered as public/state estates challenged the existence of forest concessions. Many analysts consider that concessions should be dismantled and replaced by community forests, which are supposed to provide more benefits to local populations (Counsell and Labrousse 2007, Alemagi 2010, Alden Wily 2011). Running a viable community-based timber enterprise is not an easy task, in places where infrastructures are decrepit, transport costs are high, and markets are difficult to access, especially with competition from a growing informal sector that delivers (illegal) timber at a lower cost on the domestic markets (Ezzine de Blas et al 2009)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion