Good Forest Governance Research Articles

Asymmetric power relations in multistakeholder initiatives: Insights from the government-instituted Indonesian National Forestry Council

Waves of democratization, which occurred in Indonesia by the end of the 1990s, have provided opportunities to deepen and diversify broader civil society elements for engagement in formal public policymaking. In the forestry sector emerged a multistakeholder initiative of the National Forestry Council (Dewan Kehutanan Nasional/ DKN), which was envisioned to promote good forest governance by engaging the broader public in the formulation of strategies and policy options to foster intelligent forest management in Indonesia. The DKN was instituted to create a space for multistakeholder dialogues and learning, and was expected to become an influential body in national forest-related policy-making processes. Through the application of theories related to power relations in multistakeholder initiatives, this paper assesses whether the DKN functions as a deliberative and inclusive platform. The hope and expectation placed upon the DKN were sky- high. The DKN initially provided opportunities for the spectrum of public/governments, private sector organizations, and civil society groups to come together on the same table. It also drew support from many institutions at the national level and donor agencies. However, the DKN has later shown the unequal resources of participants and eventual asymmetric power relations. As a result, it fully facilitated deliberative processes due to the asymmetric power that subtly manifested through the stakeholders’ interaction patterns, which were heavily driven by the government.

Forest management to Achieve Sustainable Forestry Policy in Indonesia

Due to the uncertainty of forest areas in Indonesia, it often creates conflicts with various parties with an interest in forest areas, such as communities, institutions that have forestry business permits, and the government. Changes in forest area occur from time to time due to forest conversion for non-forestry sector development, encroachment, and forest fire. The government has issued Government Regulation Number 23 of 2021 about forest administration in relation to this issue. However, the law has not been effective in safeguarding forests from damage caused by humans, fires, natural disasters, pests, and diseases, nor has it preserved and protected state, community, and individual rights to wooded property. The method utilized in this study is empirical legal research employing sociological, conceptual, and statutory approaches. The specific objective of this research is to identify an ideal concept for forest utilization that is pro-environment, pro-development, and people-centered so that sustainable development-supporting forestry policies can be considered. The findings of the study reveal that sustainable forest management is largely dependent on the diversity and quality of enabling policies, as well as the legal and institutional conditions that serve as the basis for good forest governance. Forest management relies heavily on the collaboration between the government, the commercial sector, and the community.

In the Question of Geospatial Information Data Use in the Forestry Legislation Making in Indonesia

The high rate of deforestation and many forest disputes in Indonesia show that forest management in Indonesia is not based on the principles of good forest governance. It also shows that there is still a lack of attention to the aspect of sustainable forest development which focuses on a balanced sustainability condition between the three forest functions (production, ecology, and socio-economic functions). Geospatial Information is expected to be the solution to help provide an accurate data and information which mapping forest development in accordance with the conditions of each forest area, so that the three functions can operate coherently. Furthermore, with the presence of integrated geospatial data, it can be used as a tool in policy formulation, decision making, and/or dispute resolution in the forestry sector. This paper applies empirical juridical research consisting participatory methods through discussions and interviews with related parties. In practice, the legal materials are firstly collected by using inventory and documentation. Then, it’s completed by interviews and Focus Group Discussion data. Moreover, it also applies statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. This paper highlights the use of geospatial information data in the forestry legislation making in Indonesia. Hence, this paper will present new information about the model of forestry dispute resolution based on geospatial information.

Sustainable Forest Management from the Perspective of Customary Law in Indonesia: A Case Study in the Bayan Community

The Indonesian government has not been able to realize sustainable forest management under the 1945 constitutional mandate, causing much forest damage. Indonesia urgently needs good forest governance. Therefore, it is essential to give a more significant role to local communities in managing forests in the future. The primary objective of this research project is to find sustainable forest management practices based on the customary law of the Bayan community. This research uses the literature review and case study method. An additional objective of this research is to study the problems that occur due to the absence of legal protection for local communities with regard to forest use and conflicts. This research demonstrates that the Indonesian government provides extensive support to the private forestry sector (for example through award of permits) and has ignored the rights of people who live around the forest. Forest management through customary law, such as Awiq-awiq in Bayan village, can provide great economic, social, and cultural benefits to local communities. Awiq-awiq regulates prohibitions, sanctions, and the procession of the customary assembly in association with forest management, and has been an effective way to use forests sustainably. The local community is highly compliant with awiq-awiq because they have been directly involved in drafting and reviewing this regulation. The customary law approach used by the Bayan community is an example of sustainable forest management practices that run well; and could be a valuable model for the Indonesian state and other forest conservation managers to consider.

15. Africa

International funding remains essential in Africa. In this context, the resounding success at the international level of the Central African Forest Commission’s participation at the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from 31 October to 12 November, under the theme Uniting the World to Tackle Climate Change, ‘is historically unique and now worthy of celebration in many ways, not least because the intended Fair Deal alliance has become a reality and a start has been effectively made through donor engagement.’ This ‘Fair Deal’ means, on the one hand, good forest governance, and, on the other hand, fair payment for the ecosystem services of the Congo Basin forests in the Global Climate Budget. It recognizes the fair share of funding and political commitment to Congo Basin ecosystems, commensurate with their overall value in terms of biodiversity and carbon sinks.

Has China's New Round of Collective Forest Reforms Reduced Forest Fragmentation? A Case Study of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region.

The new wave of reform of collective forestland tenure (NRCFT) in China is considered an important policy for achieving sustainable management of forest resources. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of NRCFT on forest fragmentation in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region of China based on a fixed-effects model. The forest fragmentation was analyzed based on the remote sensing images of Landsat and landscape pattern indices in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region from 2000 to 2018. The results showed that (1) The NRCFT has significantly contributed to reducing forest fragmentation. (2) The effect of economic growth on forest fragmentation showed an inverted U-shape. (3) The implementation of the Grain for Green Program (GGP) and the transformation of rural energy consumption significantly reduce the degree of forest fragmentation. This study has crucial implications for formulating policies, achieving good forest governance, and reducing forest fragmentation.

Transparency and Community Participation in Forest Resource Governance in Mt. Elgon Region, Kenya

The practice of good forest governance has been associated with reductions in poverty and community empowerment. This study assessed how the implementation of transparency and participation promote forestry practices under the plantation establishment for livelihood improvement scheme (PELIS) in the Mt. Elgon region. A sample size of 288 members of the Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and forest station managers drawn from three forest stations namely Saboti, Kimothon and Kaberwa were selected for the study. Focused group discussions and interviews administered through respondent assisted questionnaires were carried out to assess how the implementation of transparency and participation affect participants in PELIS. Local indicator variables were developed to assess transparency and participation. Chi-square tests of independence (α = 0.05) were performed to examine the relationship between the local indicator variables among sites based on the hypotheses that there were no significant differences in the implementation of transparency and participation among the sites. The study found statistical significance in accessibility to necessary information and decisions (p = 0.001) and involvement in decision-making processes (p = 0.002). Electoral related vices, conflicts and minimal women representation in executive committees undermines CFAs governance. The findings of this study indicates that CFAs governance systems directly affect forest conditions. The study generates information to support the formulation of policies and laws that can strengthen governance systems to minimize developmental deficits among CFAs and enhance socio-economic stability. Improved governance of CFAs will contribute in implementing agroforestry programmes that promote sustainable forest management in Kenya.

Good governance of local forest is neither easy nor cheap: Policy learning from Bimbia-Bonadikombo

This paper interrogates good governance of the Bimbia-Bonadikombo community forest (BBCF) Cameroon by the Bimbia-Bonadikombo Natural Resources Management Committee. While governance processes are essential for sustainability of forest resources, they also reveal the transaction costs associated with managing the resource. The paper is based on a longitudinal ethnographic case study of the BBCF carried first between 2005 and 2006, and later between 2019 and 2020. The paper finds that the BBCF is neither governed by provisions of the Cameroon community forestry manual nor by its own Constitution, but by the personalized governance style of its board president, who was accountable to no one in the institution; secondly, an inability to generate enough revenue to meet its operational cost, led to corruption among its forest patrol team. The paper thus shows that the transaction cost of governing the BBCF was greater than its resource capacity. The paper recommends the setting up of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal accountability mechanisms to incentivize good forest governance at the local level. The paper also recommends for a permanent financial subsidy from the global donor community to local forest groups managing community forests in Cameroon. This could be considered as a transfer payment from developed countries to local people in developing countries to maintain their forests as a global ecological good without losing their local access to essential forest products. The paper concludes with a call to forest governance policy makers to not equate local with ahistorical, simple, cheap, and easy because the local is embedded in history and political culture. As donors and governments invests heavily in initiatives like forest landscape restoration, which depends on long-term support of local communities to achieve its goals, this lesson on how to incentivize good forest governance at the local level is of vital importance.

Determinants of good forest governance in Southeastern Ethiopia: the case of the bale eco-region

This study aims to identify the determinants of good forest governance in south-eastern Ethiopia specifically in the Bale Eco-Region. The data was collected using a mixed methods approach through questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis, while the qualitative data was analyzed through descriptive analysis. The results revealed that lack of accountability, low efficiency, lack of fairness and ineffectiveness were the major challenges of good forest governance in the Bale Eco-region. The results of the binary logistic regression has also confirmed this and showed that the effectiveness of forest governance is determined by accountability, efficiency, and fairness. This means that the effectiveness of forest governance increases as the accountability, efficiency and fairness increases. Hence, it is recommended that the government and other concerned stakeholders should work mainly on improving accountability, efficiency, and fairness of forest governance in the Bale Eco-Region.

Does gender-based leadership affect good governance in community forest management ? A case study from Bhaktapur district

In spite of policy programs in place, good forest governance does not still persist in community forestry sector of Nepal. This study aims to understand how genderbased leadership affects good forest governance in the two community forest user groups, viz. the Bandeshwori CFUG and the Suryamod Perunge CFUG of Bhaktapur district, Nepal from gender perspective. Both the primary and secondary methods were employed for data collection. The collected data were screened, and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study compares the individual elements (transparency, accountability and participation) of the governance with the overall governance scenarios between the two community forests. As per the findings of this study, the female leadership was found to be better in forest management by maintaining all aspects of governance as compared to the male. This was because of the higher participation of all the users, regular audit of income and expenditure, accountability of executive committee towards user group, high-level of transparency and predictability. The study concludes that decentralization of power to female, and their active participation in leadership position are needed for maintaining good governance and proper management of community forest.

Good governance practices in Ghana’s FLEGT voluntary partnership agreement process: an application of Q methodology

ABSTRACT The aim of the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Action Plan and its Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) is to tackle illegal logging and trade in illegal timber, improve forest governance, and foster economic growth in the forest sector. This study employs a Q methodology to assess areas of consensus and disagreement among forest sector stakeholders in Ghana on good forest governance practices as applied to the VPA process. The consensus among these stakeholders is that the VPA process has improved the participation of civil society in decision making and the establishment of a robust verification system to promote transparency and accountability, which are critical for sustainable forest management. However, while the shared perspectives among stakeholders highlight the crucial role of the VPAs in promoting improved forest governance in Ghana, there are still areas of disagreement or tension regarding the issue of accountability, tree tenure rights, and the participation of local communities in the VPA process. The paper concludes by considering the practical implications of the findings for effective forest governance practices in developing countries.

Exploring patterns of forest governance quality: Insights from forest frontier communities in Zambia’s Miombo ecoregion

Good forest governance is a prerequisite for sustainable forest management and the successful implementation of initiatives that aim to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. The necessity for good governance is high in Zambia’s Miombo ecoregion, which is characterised by persistent deforestation that also threatens forest-dependent livelihoods. Zambia has adopted policies and initiatives to improve forest governance. We use the Governance of Forests Initiatives (GFI) indicator framework from the World Resource Institute in 24 communities in the Miombo ecoregion to examine Zambia’s status in this respect. The Wilcoxon rank test is applied to compare the de facto governance performance between different arrangements with differing tenures and restrictions to forest access and use. We employ factor analysis to test the applicability of the GFI framework based on community perceptions and cluster analysis to examine whether patterns of community clusters reflect the governance structure of the provincial local government administration. Comparative results show low mean scores for governance indicators, which do not differ significantly between arrangements. This indicates a weak de facto forest governance performance across arrangements, specifically characterised by an inadequate enforcement of rules and restrictions on use, insufficient institutional financial, human and technical capacities and unsatisfactory participatory land use planning and forest policy-making processes. We recommend support for financial and technical institutional capacities combined with coordination mechanisms to permit the satisfactory enforcement of forest rules. Frequent monitoring, apprehension and graduated sanctions are proposed as part of the rule enforcement procedures. Stringent de jure requirements coupled with capacity building for participatory land use planning and public policy participation also need to be adopted. This would also contribute towards achieving targets for Zambia’s climate change response strategy, national development plan 2017–2021 and REDD + preparedness phase. The factor analysis largely confirms the GFI framework’s suitability for governance analysis on the ground since factors generally mirror GFI indicators. However, because de facto governance processes sometimes do not precisely reflect thematic areas of the framework, we warn against the use of single indicators to exclusively represent a thematic area. Similarly, specific attention has to be paid to customary rules and institutions when applying the GFI framework because compared to the framework, the respective aspects are more clearly differentiated on the ground. Cluster analysis reveals a high variability of governance processes within and across provinces. Decentralization measures should take into account clusters that may in some cases follow administrative levels or in other cases go beyond the established administrative boundaries. Specifically, initiatives to integrate customary structures into the decentralized governance structure should take these regional differences into account.

A comparative analysis of the institutional capacity of FLEGT VPA in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Liberia, and the Republic of the Congo

Illegal logging has received international attention in recent years. For instance, the aim of the European Union Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan (FLEGT) and its Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) is to combat illegal logging and foster good governance and trade in legal wood products. Using a theoretically framework derived from literature on institutional capacity for “good forest governance,” we conducted a comparative analysis of the potential and realized capacities of VPA processes for advancing principles of good forest governance and the implementation of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) in Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Ghana, Liberia, and the Republic of Congo (Congo) as well as the challenges that hinder the implementation of VPAs. Based on information gathered from multiple sources, we found that VPA processes do have potential capacities for advancing information transparency, multi-stakeholder participation, and TLAS. Important progress is, however, constrained by complex political and technical issues. Unlike in Ghana, Liberia, and Congo, where progress and realized capacities are more pronounced, the realized capacities of VPAs in Cameroon and the CAR are limited. While there are prospects for making progress in these latter countries, such challenges as weak and inconsistent legal frameworks, insufficient financial resources, and long-term conflicts have slowed down the implementation of VPAs. Modest investment in capacity building and enhanced political will could have a significant effect on the realized capacities.

FOREST MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY AGAINST ILLEGAL LOGGING IN INDONESIA

Indonesia's forests have now been severely damaged. This condition is caused by various things such as illegal logging, encroachment, forest fires, and others. The root of the problem is the not yet realized good forest governance, so that it becomes a problem about how the current forest management policy? How to enforce environmental law on forest destruction due to illegal logging. The results of the study are firstly, in forest management through Law Number 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry and the provisions on eradicating forest destruction, can be re-established between the government and local communities, in order to place its function in the same view, the government bringing business actors can respect the system local people's lives and vice versa the community can understand the importance of development in the area and can improve the standard of living of the community; secondly, environmental law enforcement for forest destruction due to illegal logging through criminal law is a strict enforcement of the implementation of environmental laws and laws on prevention, eradication and destruction of forests that are oriented to the function of law as a means of carrying out social engineering, which includes the formulation of criminal acts, criminal liability, and sanctions.

Challenges facing independent monitoring networks in the Indonesian timber legality assurance system

The Indonesian timber legality verification system was launched ten years ago with the objective of eradicating illegal logging and improving domestic forest governance. At the heart of the legality system, independent monitoring (IM) was designed as an innovation to ensure its credibility and legitimacy. This paper analyzes the challenges facing IM networks in the Indonesian timber legality assurance system and examines what lessons can be learned to further develop ideas and strategies that strengthen the effectiveness of their activities. The current experience in Indonesia suggests that IM still faces some major structural challenges to fulfill high expectations. Above all, the existence and roles of IM bodies within the legality system are not yet fully understood and are often questioned by other stakeholders. There has been some degree of skepticism about their impartiality. IM is also constrained by the limited personnel available to manage it. This situation is not aided by the complex administrative requirements to become involved in IM activities. Access to data and information is another challenge that may hinder the role IM can play in fostering good forest governance. Furthermore, IM relies heavily on donor funding to finance their project-based activities. IM bodies need to explore models and schemes for more sustainable funding for their activities.

From command-and-control to good forest governance: A critical interpretive analysis of Lithuania and Slovakia

As countries with a socialist history, Lithuania and Slovakia have experienced radical transitions in all societal spheres. Despite economic liberalization and privatisation, both countries retain centralized forest management systems. Our study suggests a new methodology for assessing to what extent forestry in a given country is steered by command-and-control as opposed to more adaptive forms of governance. Our ‘Critical Interpretive Analysis’ (CIA) differs in several important aspects from more positivist methods prevalent in recent comparative analyses of forest policies in (post)transitional countries. The analysis involves five criteria, four of which (Efficiency, Equity, Transparency and Participation) are established principles of good governance, and a fifth criterion (Adaptiveness) stemming from the concept of adaptive governance. We found that Lithuania and Slovakia perform best for Transparency, primarily due to extensive availability of information about forest resources. Performance on the other criteria is poor; many of the shortcomings stem from excessive regulation that curbs the decision freedom in all forests irrespective of their ownership or functional priorities. We conclude that forest governance still largely follows the command-and-control traditions in both countries.

Analisis Kelembagaan Implementasi Perhutanan Sosial di Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Deforestrasi dan degradasi hutan yang disebabkan oleh buruknya tata kelola hutan telah menimbulkan hilangnya akses masyarakat terhadap sumberdaya hutan (SDH). Dalam upaya memperbaiki tata kelola hutan serta meningkatkan hak dan akses legal masyarakat dalam memanfaatkan hutan, Pemerintah Indonesia telah mengalokasikan kawasan hutan seluas 12,7 juta hektar dalam Program Perhutanan Sosial (PS). Di tingkat daerah, Provinsi Sumut telah menetapkan target PS seluas 550.887 hektar. Sejak program PS dikeluarkan tahun 2016, dalam implementasinya masih berjalan lambat dan belum menjadi pendukung tata kelola hutan yang baik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kelembagaan implementasi program PS di Provinsi Sumut. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara, FGD, dan kajian dokumen. Analisis penelitian dilakukan secara deskriptif dan kelembagaan melalui pendekatan kerangka kerja: Struktur Kelembagaan - Karaketeristik Sumberdaya – Perilaku Aktor – Kinerja. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa, program PS di Provinsi Sumut masih berjalan lambat sehingga belum menjadi pendukung dalam tata kelola hutan yang baik. Situasi kelembagaan program PS menunjukkan: (1) Pemda Provinsi Sumut belum mempunyai peraturan khusus tentang Fasilitasi Implementasi Program PS; (2) Program PS mampu mengubah karakteristik SDH dari common pool goods menjadi private goods; (3) Adanya perbedaan kepentingan dan kekuasaan actor menjadikan perilaku actor belum sepenuhnya mendukung program PS; (4) Kinerja implemementasi program PS masih terkategori rendah. Untuk meningkatkan kinerja kelembagaan direkomendasikan: Pada tingkat nasional diterbitkan Inpres atau Kepres dan pada tingkat Provinsi Sumut diterbitkan Peraturan Gubernur tentang Fasilitisi Implementasi PS; Melakukan peningkatan kualitas dan pendampingan aktor pelaksana program PS; Disusun rencana aksi bersama dalam pelaksanaan program PS;Untuk meningkatkan motivasi aktor PS maka diadakan Inovasi Perhutanan Sosial Award; serta Adanya pengintergrasian program PS dengan industri atau jasa berbasis SDH dengan memanfaatkan teknologi informasi digital
 Kata kunci: Perhutanan Sosial; Kelembagaan; Tata Kelola Hutan, Provinsi Sumut

Assessing forest governance in Albania

In the last 20 years, Albania has transferred the ownership and the responsibility of the management of 80% of forest area from central government to local government. The process was part of a wide decentralization reform aiming to tackle the challenges related to illegal logging activities, weak institutions, and capacities, unclear laws and regulations, frequent reforms in forest administration, high sector informality etc. Due to decentralization forest governance involve two levels of government and a range of stakeholders with different interests (local communities, forest owners, private sector, etc.). Although the reforms are under implementation, there is a lack of assessments, to analyze the governance challenges for the sector. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide an assessment of the status of forest governance in Albania, using a comprehensive analytical framework developed by FAO and PROFOR. The framework is based on three columns (i) policy, legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks, (ii) planning and decision-making processes and (iii) implementation enforcement and compliance. A set of 84 indicators, considered to be relevant for Albania, has been chosen out of 130 indicators proposed by PROFOR. The assessment is carried out through a survey, with a cross-section of 30 experts from various forest-related institutions (state and non-state). The results show that forest governance in Albania is far from good forest governance, despite some positive efforts. The reasons for this are no clear set of policy directions, conflicting or confusing laws, complex forest law and bylaws, no secure access to forest resources by local communities, low capacities of government (central and local) and non-government stakeholders, lack of transparency and accountability etc.

Assessing Forest Governance in the Countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion

The forest landscapes of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are changing dramatically, with a multitude of impacts from local to global levels. These changes invariably have their foundations in forest governance. The aim of this paper is to assess perceptions of key stakeholders regarding the state of forest governance in the countries of the GMS. The work is based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the perceptions of forest governance in the five GMS countries, involving 762 representatives from government, civil society, news media, and rural communities. The work identified many challenges to good forest governance in the countries in the region, as well as noting reasons for optimism. Generally speaking, there was a feeling that the policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks were supportive, but there are numerous challenges in terms of implementation, enforcement, and compliance. The work also presents a program of activities recommended by the research participants to address governance challenges and opportunities in the GMS countries. These include the development of a forest governance monitoring system, and initiatives that support informed decision-making by forest product consumers in the region as well as the implementation of a capacity development program for non-state actors (e.g., civil society, news media) to ensure they are more able to support the diverse, and often demanding, forest governance initiatives.

Policy on Timber Legality Verification System for Sustainable Public Procurement and Green Products

Forest natural resources in Indonesia are one of the contributors to the fulfilment of human life and development capital. However, the use of forest resources without regard to aspects of sustainability will cause damage and even extinction of the forest. Therefore, green products today have become stronger demands from various groups. The procurement of goods/services within the government has been implementing a Sustainable Public Procurement that fulfils 3 (three) aspects, namely, economic, social and environmental interests. This paper observes Timber Legality Verification System policies in supporting the provision of green products for the forestry sector and Sustainable Public Procurement that will support the achievement of sustainable development. Timber Legality Verification System policy guarantees the provision of wood products by wood processing industry that contributes to realizing good forest governance to combat illegal logging and illegal trade, as well as support improvement in environmental quality. One strategy in fulfilling green products and implementing a Sustainable Public Procurement is to use timber products that have been certified with timber legality. The policy for the use of certified wood products needs to be supported by the implementation rules and information on the list of green products and technical guidelines for the procurement.