Collection Of Non-timber Forest Products Research Articles

Pro-poor Commercial Management of Non-timber Forest Products in Nepal's Community Forest User Groups: Factors for Success

This article explores the factors that influence pro-poor commercial management of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in 3 community forest user groups (CFUGs) in the Dolakha district in Nepal. Management of NTFPs through CFUGs is an important poverty-reduction strategy in rural Nepal. National policy documents encourage management of NTFPs by CFUGs for commercial purposes, particularly by involving marginalized communities. It is therefore important to understand the existing mechanisms of their involvement. We followed a case study approach and collected data through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, formal and informal discussions, participant observations, and study of secondary data, such as the constitutions and operational plans of the CFUGs. Because institutional arrangements varied across the 3 study CFUGs, the ability of marginalized people to benefit from the commercial management of NTFPs also differed. Results suggest that the involvement of external agencies, and the consequent conducting of NTFP-based pro-poor programs, positively influences commercial management of NTFPs and minimizes elite domination. Likewise, inclusion of representatives of marginalized people in the CFUG executive committees empowers them to lobby with external agencies for pro-poor programs. Furthermore, the geographic location of the community forest limits the involvement of external agencies and marketing of NTFPs. Therefore, because members of CFUGs in remote areas are heavily dependent on collection and sale of NTFPs for their livelihoods, we suggest increasing the focus of external agencies in such areas and including marginalized people in CFUG executive committees.

Community-Based Forest Enterprises in Nepal: An Analysis of Their Role in Increasing Income Benefits to the Poor

This paper examines the effective practices and constraints of community-based forest management enterprises (CBFEs) in Nepal in providing income benefits to the poor. The tenure reform clarity and strengthening of tenure rights at community level through various CBFM programs in Nepal in the last few decades has enhanced opportunities for the rural people to benefit from forest-based enterprises. However, a key concerns as these programs have advanced over the years has been whether the poor benefit from them given their high dependence on the forests. To examine this question, 28 CBFE from Nepal’s mid-hills and mountain districts were selected purposively from among forest user groups (FUGs) engaged in income-generating activities, varying in their size of membership, use of forest products and stage of growth. These CBFEs have been broadly categorised into FUGs, networks, cooperatives and companies. The contribution from enterprises to the household economy was found to be greatest from companies, followed by cooperatives and then networks. The effective practices of the CBFEs in increasing income benefits were found to include representation of the poor and marginalized groups in executive committees in the FUGs-based enterprises, targeted employment of the poorest in the collection of non-timber forest products and in processing units in networks, and enabling the poor to own share capital in cooperatives and companies. The common constraint across all these categories was found to be lack of adequate capital to sustain the enterprises without external support.The specific constraints were small membership and land size among FUGs, lack of legal recognition of networks, lack of management skills and member discipline for cooperatives, and lack of raw materials and marketing capacity for companies. The paper also discusses: the importance of further policy support to formalize forest user groups into networks, cooperatives and private companies; value addition to forest products; and capacity building for CBFEs, government line agencies and business services providers.

Non-timber forest product dependence among the Jah Hut subgroup of Peninsular Malaysia’s Orang Asli

Non-timber forest products (NTFP) represent key sources of cash and subsistence income for millions of rural and indigenous peoples living in tropical developing countries throughout the world. The current study investigates the use and significance of NTFP within a sample of Peninsular Malaysia’s Orang Asli (indigenous people). Data collected via household surveys across three sampling phases reveals that more than 75% of the population is actively engaged in NTFP collection. Household responses indicate diversity in both the types and uses of products collected. NTFP collection participation, frequency of collection, and collection reliance are found to be significantly negatively related to village proximity to the market, as well as to income level relative to the Malaysian poverty line. When collection variables are examined by different product categories, relationships with market access and income group are variable. Implications for different approaches to forest conservation and rural development are discussed.

Can non-timber forest products solve livelihood problems? A case study from Periyar Tiger Reserve, India

Collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been promoted in India as a strategy to aid wildlife conservation whilst simultaneously alleviating poverty, and recent legislation now gives communities living within protected areas the legal right to collect NTFPs. However, research on the financial rewards from NTFP collection and its contribution to sustainable de- velopment is equivocal. In a case study in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, India, we examined whether NTFP collection can solve livelihood problems by analysing revenues obtained from various NTFP species, estimating the economic returns to collectors from various social backgrounds, and exploring the attitudes of collectors towards their profession. We found that black damar resin from the tree Canarium strictum (61.3%) and mace from Myristica spp. (35.5%) were the most commonly collected NTFPs, and the most valuable NTFPs were honey from Apis cerana indica (USD 4.12 kg -1 ), cardamom Elettaria cardamomum (USD 3.67 kg -1 ) and Myristica spp. (USD 2.77 kg -1 ). Mean daily revenue from NTFP collection was USD 3.15 - SD 4.19 day -1 , and the lowest daily revenues were earned by part-time collectors with low socio-economic status such as migrants, forest-dwellers or those without access to agri- cultural land. Most collectors (82%) did not wish to continue harvesting NTFPs if alternative livelihoods from agriculture could be provided, and none wanted their children to be NTFP collectors. Our findings suggest that, with respect to social justice, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability, the role of NTFP collection in sustainable development is questionable.

Future crop tree damage in a certified community forest in southwestern Amazonia

Field studies in Acre, Brazil assessed logging impacts of a certified community timber management project. The main objectives of the study were: (1) to determine if damage incidence to future crop trees (FCTs; ≥20 cm diameter at breast height (dbh)) differs between (a) forest with and without bamboo ( Guadua spp.), and (b) trees with and without lianas; (2) to what extent harvesting can be conducted more intensely (m 3ha −1), without incurring greater FCT damage; and (3) to what extent marking diminishes FCT damage. Full inventories of FCTs of 50 commercial species complexes were conducted before and after logging in 50 m-radius zones of impact around each designated harvest tree in three 10 ha (200 m × 500 m) logging blocks. We also mapped all forested areas potentially influenced by logging, including skid trails, log landings and felling gaps, throughout the 30 ha logged. More than 28% of the forest area was disturbed by logging, with 12.1% in skid trails and 16.8% in gap clearings, indicating that the forest gap mosaic can be significantly altered even when reduced-impact logging guidelines are followed. Overall, 15% of FCTs inventoried were damaged. Damage rates were not significantly reduced by marking treatment, location in bamboo-dominated forest, or liana load on FCT damage. Harvest intensity did not influence the probability of FCT damage. For future studies, it would be prudent to address impacts of timber extraction on other livelihood activities, such as non-timber forest product collection, particularly in such regions as the Brazilian Amazon, where many communities are attempting to integrate a suite of income-generating activities.

Collection and marketing of non-timber forest products in the far western hills of Nepal

Non–timber forest product (NTFP) use is an integral part of the rural economy of Nepal, but little is known about NTFP collection and marketing dynamics. This study investigated the intensity of NTFP collection, the financial benefits gained through the collection of a representative species, and the contextual factors influencing NTFP collection and sale in 12 villages of the Baitadi district of far western Nepal. Thirty-nine per cent of the economically active population collected a total of 24 NTFPs from 23 species, which contributed 0–90% of the total household income. A marketing chain and financial analysis of Valeriana jatamansi (sugandhwal) revealed that various trading and marketing channels existed from the village to district-level NTFP outlets. The price received by the collector depended on the length of the market chain and the political context of the market. Political instability resulting from the Maoist insurgency reduced profits from sugandhwal sale by 23–25%. The number of NTFP-selling outlets accessed by collectors was the most important variable determining the number of NTFPs collected and the overall contribution of NTFPs to the household. Physical accessibility of the village did not impact the contribution of NTFPs to the household livelihood. The strength of NTFP-related institutions (both government and non-governmental organizations) decreased the total NTFP contribution to livelihoods because at the time of the study the villages were in transition to domestication of NTFPs. In the future, the contribution of domesticated NTFPs to households in villages with strong NTFP-related institutions should be much greater than at present. Increasing access to NTFP-selling outlets may be achieved through information dissemination, empowerment of collectors and establishment of linkages between collectors and traders. In general, domestication is an important strategy to ensure a continuous supply of NTFPs. Middlemen traders are seen as important stabilizers of prices as long as fair trading practices are followed. Monitoring of these villages over time will also provide important new quantitative information on the process of transition in rural villages changing from a forest-collection NTFP procurement strategy to a domestication procurement strategy.

Quantifying and comparing the value of non-timber forest products in the Amazon

The use of sustainable harvest practices in the tropics is often proposed as a way to maintain the environment and address the poverty issues that dominate many tropical regions of the world. In theory, the adoption of these methods can provide win–win solutions to tropical deforestation because they address the environmental consequences of deforestation while increasing the welfare of forest inhabitants. However, there is little reliable data that can be used to test this hypothesis since many of the goods produced in sustainable systems do not have well-defined markets and are most often consumed at home. This paper examines the benefits of collecting and harvesting non-timber forest products in the tropics through various methods using household panel data collected in 1996 and 2000 in the Ouro Preto do Oeste region of Rondônia, Brazil. We estimate the use-value of land under forest, agriculture, and pasture and complement these estimations with census data and regression analysis. Our estimations reveal that households utilizing sustainable practices in the forms of agroforestry and the collection of non-timber forest products have significantly higher levels of diversification. We conclude that directing policy towards “win–win” strategies may not be desirable for reducing both poverty and deforestation in this region since we find no clear evidence that these can successfully be addressed simultaneously. Sustainable development policy should focus on increasing the value of the forest, or reducing the opportunity cost of leaving standing forest on the household lot, if sustainable production strategies are to be more attractive to households in the future.

A tragedy of non-timber forest resources in the mountain commons of Nepal

There is increasing degradation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the mountains of Nepal. It has been proposed that different components of a common property resource (CPR) do not undergo degradation at the same rate, as they are not managed in the same way under different types of property rights regimes. To examine this, information was collected through a survey of 324 households, community resource assessment ranking and group discussion in a small mountain watershed of Nepal. The study analysed NTFP collection and management practices under government and community forest management systems, and impact of these practices on the status of forest and NTFPs. The analysis based on people's perception revealed that NTFPs were being depleted more rapidly than timber components in both types of forest. The pace of depletion was, however, considerably lower in community forests, as these forests were accessible only to the relevant forest user group members. Depletion of NTFPs was due primarily to the lack of proper institutional arrangements, including the lack of a comprehensive government policy framework, for sustainable use and management of NTFPs.

Collection and marketing of non-timber forest products in Tamil Nadu

Almost all the states in India have Forest Corporations dealing in collection, processing and marketing of forest products. Poor forest labourers who were previously dis-organised have now been brought under the umbrella of various organisations like Forest Labour Cooperative Societies, Large-area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS), Tribal Development Corporations (TDC) and Minor Forest Produce Federations (MFPF). The Tribal Federation (TRIFED), a government agency, is protecting the interest of the tribals by providing marketing support to state-level corporations, federations and cooperatives dealing with collection of Non-Timber Forest Products by involving tribals. The tribal cooperative society gets collection right of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) from forest department on payment of lease every year. The lease amount is decided after a thorough survey of the resources inside in the forest by the forest officials. The lease period normally falls from 1st June to 31st May. Collection and marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products being a tedious process several preliminary works and marketing channels do exist to carry on the work. Hence the study was taken up in the Kolli hills of Salem District, Sathyamangalam Forest Division of Erode District and in the Pollachi Division of Tamil Nadu to unravel the tie up activities involved in this collection and marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products. The societies involved, products collected and the collection rate fixed are dealt in detail.

TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF EXTRACTION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN CHEL RANGE OF DARJEELING HIMALAYA

ABSTRACT Data on the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), e.g., bamboo, rattan, leaves, broom heads, thatch, fuelwood, and fodder, between 1930 and 1990 in the Chel range of Darjeeling Himalaya, India were abstracted from the daily transactions recorded in the cashbooks of the Forest Department and analysed for ternporal patterns. Unlike in many forests of India, the Forest Department controlled the collection of NTFPs in Chel and earned revenues by virtue of their land rights. The people employed in NTFP collection were those who had been settled in forest villages to supply labour and allowed to farm areas allocated to them and permitted to keep cattle. Therefore, their cash income did not depend on selling NTFPs though they extracted them for their own use. The intensity of the collection of NTFPs either increased (fuelwood and fodder) or decreased after an initial increase (rattan, bamboo and thatch) over time due to variation in the resource stock, demand of the end user and cultural changes. The extraction of some NTFPs ceased on account of diminishing demand and rising production costs (leaves and baskets). Conversely, some NTFPs (broom heads and stone boulders) entered the commercial extraction domain on escalating demand. There is an integral but complex relationship between the extraction intensity and the resource base of NTFPs that may vary with the product as well as with other social, economic and policy factors.

Do Tropical Forests Provide Natural Insurance? The Microeconomics of Non-Timber Forest Product Collection in the Brazilian Amazon

<i>Tropical forests may contribute to the well-being of local people by providing a form of</i> “<i>natural insurance.</i>” <i>We draw on microeconomic theory to conceptualize a model relating agricultural risks to collection of non-timber forest products. Forest collection trips are positively correlated with both agricultural shocks and expected agricultural risks in an event-count model of survey data from the Brazilian Amazon. This suggests that households rely on forests to mitigate agricultural risk. Forest product collection may be less important to households with other consumption-smoothing options, but its importance is not restricted to the poorest households.</i> (JEL Q23)

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: gorilla census 1997

AbstractBwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-west Uganda supports a population of gorillas that has become the primary gorilla population for tourism following the genocide in Rwanda. Previous estimates made in the early 1990s indicated that the population numbered around 300 individuals. The census reported here was the first in Bwindi to use the method successfully developed in the Virungas, which utilizes a complete sweep across the park within a short period of time by a large number of teams working simultaneously. We estimated the population to be 292 individuals; to the best of our understanding – based on previous estimates – the population, therefore, appears to be stable. Most gorillas were found within the centre of the southern section of the park. It appears that there are some areas of unused habitat and, therefore, room for the population to grow. We found no clear relationship between gorilla distribution and human presence, but some forms of disturbance were more frequent and close to the edge of the park and may contribute to the gorillas' avoidance of these areas. The effects of human disturbance, including tourism, on the gorillas and other wildlife should be investigated in more detail and monitored over time. This is particularly important in multiple-use zones which have been established around the edges of the park for bee-keeping, collection of nontimber forest products, and tourism.

Patterns of Abundance and Human Use of the Vulnerable Understory Palm, Chamaedorea radicalis (Arecaceae), in a Montane Cloud Forest, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Patterns of Abundance and Human Use of the Vulnerable Understory Palm, Chamaedorea radicalis (Arecaceae), in a Montane Cloud Forest, Tamaulipas, Mexico

The non-timber forest policy process in Nepal: actors, objectives and power

The importance of commercial non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to the livelihood strategies of rural collectors in Nepal is increasingly recognised. This paper provides suggestions for improving rural collectors’ possibilities for income generation. The formation and implementation of NTFP policies in Nepal is examined by investigating the area of interactions between policy formation, choice and implementation of forest policy tools within the ‘new political economy’ approach, and suggestions are subsequently evaluated within the found practical political context. The study is based on approximately 400 interviews carried out with some 1000 stakeholders in the period 1992–1998. Following a qualitative research strategy hypotheses are formulated on the basis of patterns emerging from the data collected. The main stakeholders in NTFP collection and trade are identified to be: rural collectors and traders; local level politicians; lower level government staff; high level politicians; conservation-oriented institutions; and development oriented institutions. The objectives and influence of these stakeholders on the non-timber sector are identified and proposals for change are discussed in the light of distribution of objectives and power. It is hypothesised that NTFP policy formation, implementation and the field reality are weakly connected: implemented policy tools do not correspond to the aims of formulated policies, and field reality is not regulated in the envisioned direction by policy tools. This situation is explained by the fact that stakeholders at different levels of the policy hierarchy can influence their own level only. It is further hypothesised that a number of changes in forest legislation and regulations can have immediate and powerful effects on rural livelihoods of collectors. Taking into account the present political situation such changes may not be introduced from within the decision making process and, therefore, the view is put forward that pressure from outside the forestry sector is needed to bring about significant changes in favour of rural collectors.

Biomass and energetics of non-timber forest resources in a cluster of tribal villages on the Eastern Ghats of Orissa, India

An empirical study on the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in three tribal villages on the Eastern Ghats of India was made during 1994–95. These village ecosystems — Rajikakhola, Nediguda and Badruguda — are situated in the Phulbani district of Orissa and are inhabited by the Kondh tribe. The average annual production of important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was 1.87 t (26.78 GJ) of mohua flower, 2.96 t (54.41 GJ) of siali leaf, 6.73 t (107.06 GJ) of thatch grass, 4.2 t (8.01 GJ) of sago palm sap and 0.93 t (11.39 GJ) of tamarind pulp per village. Total production of NTFPs was 253.55 GJ per village. Total consumption of NTFPs was 190.57 GJ per village. However, average household consumption was 9.60 GJ. Annual country liquor consumption was 2287 l per village, out of which a total of 762 l was prepared locally and the rest imported. Total annual export of NTFPs was 3.69 t (61.47 GJ) per village, maximum being by Rajikakhola. Among the exported products siali leaf ranked highest. Total human energy expended for collection of NTFP was 16.1 GJ per village, out of which men contributed 37.3%, women 53.8% and children 8.9% in these villages. The average input–output ratio of energy for NTFP was 16.56. For sustainable development of tribal villages, conservation and proper management of existing forests, minimisation of waste and increase of the value of products through efficient processing are highly essential.

Is market-oriented forest conservation a contradiction in terms?

The destruction of forest ecosystems appears economically rational because many of the values of intact ecosystems are not recognized in land-use decisions. Many authors have suggested that the conservation of intact ecosystems requires that markets be extended to increase economic benefits derived from the standing forest to the point where they out-compete alternative, destructive land-uses. Three such strategies for market-oriented forest conservation are natural forest management for high-value timber, the collection of non-timber forest products, and biodiversity prospecting. In each case the proposed use of the ecosystem is likely to prove socially and economically unsustainable, or to generate significant alterations in ecosystem structure which endanger its diversity, or both. The success of market-oriented conservation requires that sustainable extraction of useful organisms over the long term yields more profit than destructive activities. The market-oriented conservation strategies examined, however, appear to yield too little profit to out-perform alternatives such as agricultural production or the replacement of forests by pastures or plantations. In each case, key factors limit profits. The slow growth rates of natural forests combined with discounting hinders natural forest management. In the case of non-timber forest products, the typically low density of resources in tropical forests creates disincentives for sustainable commercial production. The profitability of biodiversity prospecting is undermined by the low probability of discovering species with medicinal properties and developing countries' inability to capture the information value of the genetic content of species. Furthermore, each of the three strategies also has potentially negative ecological impacts. In the drive to increase profits, each is likely to degrade ecosystems through over-exploitation of the resource, and prompt simplification of the ecosystem through forest management designed to increase the density of profitable species. Ultimately, such activities are likely to lead to the loss of biodiversity.Several conditions must be met for market-oriented conservation to be effective. Scientific understanding of forest ecosystems, and the ecological knowledge of both users and regulators must be sufficiently advanced to allow appropriate management regimes to be designed to assure maintenance of the forest ecosystem despite alterations caused by resource harvesting. The natural reproduction rate of the harvested resource must also be sufficiently rapid to justify leaving most of the resource undisturbed to guarantee its reproduction. Furthermore, the resource must be more cheaply and reliably produced in a natural forest than in a plantation, than by a synthetic substitute, or replacement through domestication. Finally, even where ecological and economic conditions support market-oriented conservation, those making land-use decisions must be in a position to benefit from the sustainable harvest of forest resources. If they are unable to enforce exclusive rights to the forests, the conservation effect of market-oriented strategies is likely to prove elusive.Nevertheless, strategies for market-oriented forest conservation are a vital component of efforts to conserve biodiversity, and they must be improved to harness their full conservation potential. Resource management regulations, strong enforcement, and stable and secure property rights are essential preconditions. In addition, land-use planning should identify ecosystems with lower biological diversity where marketable products are concentrated at economic densities. Areas of high biological diversity will require non-market mechanisms to ensure their protection. In this context, there is no substitute for fully protected areas, and their expansion is vital.

Human Activities Threatening the Biodiversity of the Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve—Tanzania

Studies of human activities in the Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains, were conducted in March–April and September 1997, in the western and southern parts of the forest. Different human activities, such as timber and pole cutting and withies harvesting, as well as the collection of non-timber forest products were recorded. Footpaths in the forest interior, past settlements and encroached areas were identified, as well as evidence of poaching. Due to the human activities, some timber species, for example Ocotea usambarensis, Milicia excelsa and AJzelia quanzensis are almost exhausted. It was established that the main cause of the pressure in the reserve is the lack of alternative sources of forest products and other income generating activities. It is suggested that the people living around the reserve should be allowed traditional forest product uses under agreed regulations. Agroforestry involving planting of some desirable indigenous trees and the domestication of wild fruit tree species is also recommended. Other income generating activities should be encouraged. This is likely to reduce the pressure on the natural forest, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Conservation status of forests and wildlife in the Eastern Ghats, India

The Eastern Ghats (EGs) comprise a chain of ancient low hills in the state of Andhra Pradesh adjoining the east coast of India. These hill ranges are well known for a rich array of tropical forests with great conservation significance which support large human populations. A series of protected areas (PAs) have been established by the government along these ranges to conserve the regional biodiversity, but their effectiveness is often questionable. In order to assess the ecological status of the forests both within and outside the PAs and to assess the impacts of ongoing forestry practices a survey was conducted along the EGs. Plant species richness, and density of shrubs and trees, were estimated along disturbance gradients (core, buffer and fringe situations) using random plots of 10-m radius for trees, and 5-m radius (nested) plots for shrubs and saplings. Indirect evidence (spoor) of domestic and wild animals was recorded within the sample plots to compare habitat use by the animals.Srivenkateshwara National Park in the Seshachalam Hills, Gundlabrahmeshwaram Sanctuary in Nallamalais and some parts of Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve, had the least degraded forests due to their PA status. However, collection of non-timber forest products, bamboo harvesting and livestock grazing continues in all areas irrespective of legal status. All bamboo areas have been heavily worked. It is recommended that bamboo working should be stopped in core areas of the PAs and reduced from nine to six months (October to March) in the buffer zones. Summer is a period of potential water shortage for wild animals and bamboo workers' camps near water courses may affect habitat use by these species.The proposed Gudem Maripakhala Sanctuary, well known for its biogeographical value and diverse flora, is seriously threatened as a result of to extensive 'podu' (slash and burn) cultivation. It is suggested that an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation and better agricultural practices, should be adopted in this area. Some of the primary and old growth forests should be identified, mapped and given immediate protection, until a scientifically-based management plan is developed.

Non-timber forest products from community forestry practices, problems and prospects for livelihood strategy in Jumla

Jumla is highly rich in its vast and valuable Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) including different kinds of valuable medicinal and aromatic plants. However, in recent years, a significant decrease in availability of commercially traded NTFP species has been experienced. Nevertheless, some important initiatives have also been started to manage NTFPs in a sustainable basis. Community Forestry (CF) is one of these. This study aims to suggest practical and sustainable NTFPs management approach in Jumla analyzing existing roles in livelihood strategy. Study covers CFUGs in Eastern part of the district comprising about 70% CF area and contributes more than 60% of exported NTFPs. PRA and RRA tools were used for data collection in the field. NTFPs were found an integral part of the livelihood strategy in the district. More than 90% food deficit people (57%) were having income from NTFPs as a second source of food arrangement to sustain their livelihood. The average annual income from NTFPs per HH was 18,565. No significant correlation was observed between different social groups and income from NTFPs. But, male were found mostly involved in NTFPs collection comparing female. Beside some promising efforts towards control harvesting of NTFPs, no significant impact of CF was observed. Awareness level of the users and governance aspect of CFUGs were found very poor. There was huge gap between management objectives and management prescriptions of most of the community forests. Key words: NTFPs, Livelihood, management, CFUGs doi: 10.3126/banko.v17i2.2155 Banko Janakari, Vol. 17, No. 2, 45-54