Community-based Forest Management Systems Research Articles

Sustainable Use and Management of Wild Edible Fruit Plants: A Case Study in the Ulu Masen Protected Forest, West Aceh, Indonesia

ABSTRACT Wild edible fruit plant species (WEFs) are species that are not cultivated or domesticated but are available in their natural habitat, providing a readily available source of food, medicine, and economic value to the local people. In recent times, WEFs have been threatened by over-exploitation, land-use changes, and biodiversity loss. This study aims to (1) identify and document wild edible fruit plant species, (2) investigate the patterns of knowledge, use, and management of WEFs in the Ulu Masen protected area; and (3) assess threats to wild edible fruit plant species and recommend possible management scenarios for their conservation. The study was conducted in six villages of Pantai Ceuremen subdistrict, Southeast Aceh, Indonesia, namely Sikundo, Jambak, Canggai, Lawet, Pulo Tungoh, and Keutambang. The plant materials were randomly collected from the study area, while local knowledge was gathered through a semi-structured survey and in-depth interviews involving 209 respondents that were selected using random sampling. A total of 53 wild edible fruit plants from 30 genera and 21 families were found to be commonly used. Syzygium pycnanthum, Syzygium littorale, Syzygium polyanthum, Garcinia xanthochymus, Baccaurea polyneura, Flacourtia rukam, Sandoricum koetjape, and Baccaurea racemosa were the most important species for local communities in the study area. The WEFs in the study area is influenced by a variety of factors, primarily agricultural expansion, which means that conservation practices need to be improved through the implementation of management strategies, prioritizing species currently used by local communities. Management strategies based on traditional knowledge, such as community-based forest management systems (CBFMS) are being considered for future conservation, and they are also being implemented in other developing countries with similar circumstances.

Assessing the financial contribution and carbon emission pattern of provisioning ecosystem services in Siwalik forests in Nepal: Valuation from the perspectives of disaggregated users

Provisioning Ecosystem Services (PS) from the forests contribute much to peoples’ livelihoods as well as to the national economy. Previous studies have been constrained by their primary focus on biophysical quantification of PS through modelling and mapping or aggregated monetary valuation, while little attention has been paid to the issues of the distribution of financial benefits among the different forest subgroups. Using market price and substitute good price methods, this paper assesses how local users exploit financial benefits and emit carbon from the use of PS in two dominant community-based forest management systems (community forestry—CF and collaborative forestry—CFM) based on proximity (nearby vs. distant users) and socio-economic class (rich vs. poor users) in the Siwalik region, Nepal. Results indicated that the wealth level of the users plays a key role in the amount of financial benefits generated from the use of PS: (1) users living near forests receive the highest economic benefits compared to those living long distances from the forest area. However the distribution of benefits differs according to management modality and socioeconomic status; (2) CF users, on average, receive higher economic benefits than CFM users; and (3) compared to poor households, rich households receive higher benefits. On average, a rich household adjacent to CF receives USD 1214/year while a poor household living in the same area receives almost half of that (USD 630/year). Similarly, a poor household living far from a forest area generates USD 189/year, slightly higher than that of a rich household in the same area (USD 109/year); and (4) an average CF user emits more carbon (7.4 tCO2/HH/year) from the consumption of PS than an average CFM user (5 tCO2/HH/year). Finally, we discuss the reasons behind these differences and draw policy implications for developing and refining constitutions and operational plans of forest user groups.

Recognition of historical contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities through benefit sharing plans (BSPs) in REDD+

Achieving the objectives of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest(s) Degradation, Conservation and Enhancement of Forest Carbon Stocks and Sustainable Management of Forests in developing countries (REDD+) will remain an aspiration unless and until the historical contributions of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs) to the state and management of forests are recognised and respected. REDD + is designed for developing countries where community-based forest management systems (CBFM) are becoming increasingly popular. Using the case study of Nepal, a pioneer of community forest (CF) management, we show how the traditional users of Tarai forests are systemically excluded from mainstream CF practices and discuss the potential negative implications of not rewarding their historical contribution. Considering the scope provided by REDD + benefit sharing plans (BSPs) and the greater number of developing countries involved in designing BSPs, we: (1) argue that BSP offers a unique opportunity to recognize historical contributions of traditional users; (2) suggest specific provisions for channelling REDD + benefits to the traditional users as a potential solution; and (3) conclude that the inability to provide such benefits may result in the failure of REDD + on a broader scale, nullifying global efforts for forest-based climate change mitigation.

REDD+ as a Vehicle for Community-Based Forest Management? Critical Insights from Vietnam

Both the reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation program (REDD+) and community-based forest management (CBFM) aim to combat forest degradation and deforestation on various levels. Both approaches include multiple objectives such as carbon sequestration, livelihood improvement and forest tenure reform. New institutions, such as community-forest management boards or REDD+ implementation agencies, are being introduced to achieve sustainable development in the forestry sector. However, the way REDD+ affects local CBFM systems and community livelihoods remains understudied. This study analyzes the effects of REDD+ on CBFM systems in Vietnam. We selected four research communes (sub-district level units) and we conducted household surveys (n = 187), focus group discussions (n = 4), expert interviews (n = 8) and secondary data analysis (n = 23). Our findings show that in one commune REDD+ introduced CBFM and forestland allocation to communities in accordance with their customary boundaries. In another commune, REDD+ was implemented in a pre-existing CBFM and institutional landscape, and the program had little effect on households’ livelihoods. The implementation of CBFM in all four communes led to further consolidation of influence of formal institutions and a higher level of formalization among involved communities. Based on the results of this study, we propose a novel typology on CBFM systems in a post-REDD+ era. This typology takes the level of formalization, marketization, globalization and forest dependence of respective households, which make up a community, into account. We present CBFM systems on a spectrum from customary to formal, and we highlight the need to adapt REDD+ and CBFM to individual households’ livelihood trajectories.

Local Users and Other Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Identification and Prioritization of Ecosystem Services in Fragile Mountains: A Case Study of Chure Region of Nepal

Forest-based ecosystem services (ES) play a vital role in improving people’s livelihoods, the environment, and the economy. Prior studies have focused on technical aspects of economic valuation such as biophysical quantification through modeling and mapping, or monetary valuation, while little attention has been paid to the social dimensions. Taking case studies of two dominant community-based forest management systems (community forestry—CF and collaborative forestry—CFM) in the Chure region of Nepal, we investigate how local users and other stakeholders perceive the valuation of forest-based ecosystem services based on proximity (nearby vs. distant users), socio-economic class (rich vs. poor users), and forest management modalities (CF vs. CFM). We found that local users and other stakeholders in the Chure region identified a total of 42 forest-based ecosystem services: 16 provisioning, 15 regulating, and 11 cultural services. While all local users prioritised firewood, water quality improvement, and bequest values as the top three services, genetic resources, hazard protection, and hunting services were valued as having the lowest priority. The priorities placed on other services varied in many respects. For instance, rich users living near a CF showed a strong preference for fodder, grasses, and soil conservation services whereas users living far from forests prioritised timber, fresh water, and flood control services. In the case of CFM, rich users adjacent to forests preferred timber, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration services but those living far from forests chose timber, poles, and flood control as their top priorities. Differences in rankings also occurred among the regional managers, national experts, and forest users. The reasons for these differences and their policy implications are discussed, and ways of reaching consensus between the users are suggested.

An assessment of governance quality for community-based forest management systems in Asia: Prioritisation of governance indicators at various scales

Community-based forest management systems (CBFMS) are becoming increasingly popular in developing countries where 31% of the total forest is either managed or owned by the community. This paper presents the results of a four-country study conducted in 2017 in Nepal, Bhutan, India and Myanmar concerning the governance quality of CBFMS. The introduction outlines the global threat to forests, the contribution that forest-based emissions make to climate change, and the policy response of the international and national communities including REDD + . The next section provides a snapshot of CBFMS in the four case study countries, and is followed by an account of the methodology, approach, framework of analysis and sampling surveys undertaken during the course of, and informing, the research. The results of the surveys revealed that perceptions of governance quality, as well as governance priorities, varied between the countries, and also at the three levels of government (national, sub-national and local) within a country. For example, Myanmar and Bhutan had very high governance ratings from local levels compared to other levels, whereas, Nepal and India had similar ratings for all levels. Further, regarding the prioritisation of different indicators, Myanmar gave highest priority to “inclusiveness” at the local level but “democracy” at the national level. The reasons for the similarities and differences between and within these countries and the possible implications are discussed.

Culture of Control versus the Culture of Resistance in the Case of Control of Forest

The implementation of rights, policy, forest official, and repressive approach by the government shows that the culture of control is applied at forest tenure. This research showed that the application of cultural control by the Government clashed with the interests of local wisdom and socio-economic communities around the forest. The local community have developed strategies and tactics to resist the Government through controlling the land, determining the types of plant, and by implementing community-based forest management system. These resistance strategies and tactics is the manifestation of the socio-economic conditions which are integrated in the community culture. Through the perspective of power (Foucault) and resistance (Scott), this research shows the urgency to put culture and behavior as the focus of an analysis particularly in the midst of a strong influential political ecology perspective. The focus on culture and behavior means that an analysis on controlling culture is not only to discuss the strategy of fulfilling the formal rights of the government, but also to discuss the arrogant, repressive and proud behavior of the government of its authority and power. Equally, the analysis of the culture of resistance does not only discuss the strategy to get the formal rights of the community, but also deliberate on the behavior of the community to implement their strategy quietly, secretly, and • while avoiding the forest staff.

Carbon stock dynamics in different vegetation dominated community forests under REDD+: A case from Nepal

Evaluating the effectiveness and integrity of forest-based emissions reduction schemes requires appropriate monitoring and evaluation. In order to develop one such approach, this study estimates total carbon stock and change in that stock over time, in REDD+ pilot projects in Nepal, including a comparison of outcomes by different (dominant vegetation and density) forest types. As expected, average biomass carbon was greater in dense canopy forests than sparse ones in all vegetation types. More particularly, carbon stock was highest in dense canopy of Shorea robusta forests followed by mixed broad-leaf forests, Rhododendron-Quercus forests, Pine forests and Schima–Castanopsis forests. On average, carbon stock increased in forests under the REDD+ activities during the study period (2010–13). The carbon increment between 2010 and 2013 was higher in dense forests with dominant Pine vegetation (24Mg C/ha) followed by Schima–Castanopsis (20Mg C/ha), mixed broad leaf types (18.9Mg C/ha) and S. robusta (16.9Mg C/ha), while the lowest was found in sparse canopy of Rhododendron-Quercus vegetation (5.9Mg C/ha). The results suggest that funding agencies could maximise carbon stock by targeting particular forest types, but it should be noted that this has implications for the conservation and management practices for, and income from, community forests. The results of this study will be useful in designing REDD+ policies and programmes in Nepal. Although the exact results of the study could not be applicable; the approach, framework of the study and knowledge can be applied in several other developing countries with similar community-based forest management systems

Analisis Efektivitas Kelembagaan Pengelolaan Hutan Bersama Masyarakat (PHBM) di KPH Bandung Utara Jawa Barat

Community-based forest management (CBFM) was aimed to achieve the sustainability of forest functions and to omptimize its benefits. CBFM around the Forest Lap Area in North Bandung is a joint forest management between Perum Perhutani and forest villagers. The purposes of this study were; (1) to analyse the processes and stakeholders of CBFM, (2) to analyse the institution effectiveness of CBFM, (3) to analyse the result of the CBFM implementation The approach of this research was the stakeholder analysis and IPA (importance of Performance Analysis). The result of stakeholder mapping showed that Perum Perhutani and LMDH had the role in the implementation of CBFM system. The results of the economic impact of CBFM calculations indicated that the system could increase the income of MDH. This was indicated by the change in the average income of farmers by 63%. The result of IPA could be seen from the mapping of availability level of forest resources and forest resource need for the community included in B quadran in which it had a high level of availability and interest.

The Structure, Functioning and Organisational Interaction of Community Based Forest Management System: Empirical Evidence from Goalpara District of Assam

India has been following the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) system since 1990 in the form of Joint Forest Management (JFM). The data of Forest Survey of India shows that the regions where the JFM system is implemented has not improved the forest cover whereas there is improvement in forest cover in the regions where no JFM committee exists. This means that there is a failure of the CBFM system in the state. The failure of the Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) is linked to the organizational structure and functioning of these JFMCs. This study points to the array of conflicts between the actors involved in forest conservation activities viz., the JFMCs and Traditional Forest Protection Committees, the Nominees of Forest Department and Local JFMC functionaries, and JFMCs and the Forest Dependent Households. These conflicts explain the reasons for lack of cooperation between the actors and emphasize the need to provide the forest dependent people not a nominal participant role but a more substantive role in defining the purpose and the process of forest conservation.

Incentives for Households in Community Based Forest Management System: An Empirical Evidence from Goalpara District of Assam

Based on the ‘National Forest Policy 1988,’ on the first June in 1990 (circular No. 6.21/89-FP, Sarin, 1998), the government of India issued guidelines and adopted Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) system in the form of Joint Forest Management (JFM) system for conservation of forests with clearly identified duties and functions for ensuring protection of forests. However, the system has not been fully succeeding. This paper examines the reasons for the failure of CBFM system in Assam. The study finds that the households who actively participate in the forest conservation activity belong to predominantly non-tribal households and also to tribal households who are engaged in non-forest dependent livelihoods. The study also discovers that the Forest Protection Committees in forest areas which have experienced urbanization, commercialization, and diversification of labor into quarrying industry and such other activities take active participation in the forest protection activities. Quite contrary to the expectations the primary evidence in this study establishes that the failure to prevent deforestation is linked to the failure of the CBFM system to evolve appropriate incentive structures for the forest dependent tribal households who are the crucial actors in forest protection. This study finds that instead of expanding the subsistence opportunities for the poor forest dependent tribal households through forest conservation, the CBFM system has caused a decline in the incomes of these households.

The Changing Forest Management Paradigm in Africa: A Case for Community Based Forest Management System

The paper presents the state of forests in sub-Saharan African (SSA)countries, salient factors leading to forestloss, the influence of mitigating measures being adopted, and an assessment of the community based forestmanagement systems(CBFM). The study reveals that a number of promising CBFM constructs have been triedand more are being implemented in the region. Implementation progress shows that virtually all countries haveenacted supportive policies, legislations, institutional instruments and reforms. Notable trajectories contributingto sustainable forest management, with prospects for enhancing social justice, economic, environmental, socialinstitutions and human capital, are noted. Bottlenecks stifling CBFM’s growth, particularly those associatedwith conflicts, challenges, constraints and threats are examined. In a final chapter, the paper recommends aneed to establish an inclusive platform to guide institutional reforms and to mount a comprehensive researchprogramme.

Bureaucracy and new management paradigms: modeling foresters’ perceptions regarding community-based forest management in India

Abstract Foresters’ perceptions (from Andhra Pradesh (AP), Haryana (HR), Himachal Pradesh (HP), and West Bengal (WB), states of India) about incongruity between forest departments’ bureaucracy and acceptability of community-based forest management (CBFM) are examined. Structural equation modeling is used, and variations in incongruity are explored across the four states and the two management levels. We construe organizational bureaucracy comprising of hierarchical rigidity, centralization of powers, non-participatory decision making, and organizational rigidity, and acceptability of CBFM being composed of structural acceptability, cultural acceptability, and organizational support. The analyses reveal variation in the degree of incongruity across the states—highest in HP, lowest in WB, and in middle for AP and HR—but no variation across management levels. The loadings of four conceptual components of organizational bureaucracy are invariant across the four states, but the loadings of three components of acceptability of CBFM systems vary. Organizational structure has the highest influence on acceptability of CBFM systems in HP and the lowest in WB; support mechanisms have an almost uniform impact in WB, HR and HP states, and lowest impact in AP; and organizational culture has the highest impact in HR and HP, lower impact in AP, and no impact in WB. These differences suggest that the uniform organizational reforms, across states, pursued by the Government of India may prove counter productive.

COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT IN INDIA: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TENURE

SUMMARY Background The policies embracing the Community-based forest management systems in India have not yielded significant results. The National and State Governments have responded to the demands for community rights over forests by various policy statements, but the tenure of forest land remains the most contentious issue in the field of forest management in India. This paper examines policies in their local and external environments in both historical as well as current contexts. Important elements for understanding the local view points and assigning forest tenure are: • the community concerns for the state of forest resources and their efforts at its conservation, • rural poverty, • access to basic needs for livelihoods and • the condition of the forest resources. Relevant forest policies of the national and state governments are discussed with specific reference to the recent Joint Forest Management programme and questions of tenure. The topic is placed in context with the development of other sectors of the rural economy and international concern for the environment.