THE ROLE AND DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NTFP RESOURCES

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the role and dynamics of community-based institutions in the control and management of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the south of Cameroon, focusing on three NTFP species in three tropical forest areas. NTFP management intensities are low in all three areas, but the ecological conditions, the harvesting techniques employed and the tenure arrangements under which they are exploited differ from one NTFP resource to another. Customary land laws and tenure arrangements predominantly shape local control, management and exploitation of NTFP resources, but NTFP utilization becomes more organized under high population pressure and when specific market opportunities become available. An insight into land-tenure conditions (variation in access to different categories of land) and tree tenure conditions (local systems regarding access to and ownership of NTFPs) must be gained before efforts are undertaken to intensify NTFP production systems.