Power Dynamics in African Forests

Power Dynamics in African Forests
Author: Symphorien Ongolo
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2023-12-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1003834981

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This book addresses historical perspectives and contemporary challenges of the politics of forestland governance and the related sustainability crisis in Africa. It focusses on the power dynamics between key actors involved in the governance of forest-related resources either for their exploitation or with regards to biodiversity conservation policies promoted at international arenas. The book provides conceptual and empirical contributions on what happens when global sustainability agendas and the related policy instruments meet the realities of domestic politics in Africa. It reveals that several actors in forest-rich countries, especially those with limited sovereignty, have often employed complex informal strategies as the ‘weapon of the weak’ to resist the domination of the most powerful actors of global environmental politics.

Governance in Community-based Forest Management: The Case of Madagascar

Governance in Community-based Forest Management: The Case of Madagascar
Author: Daniela Beth Raik
Publisher:
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2008
Genre:
ISBN: 9780549969808

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Decentralization of forest management aims to empower local communities. Intentions notwithstanding, decentralization is a historically-contingent process that does not necessarily result in synergistic state-community relationships. Decentralizing governance structures implies changes in power relationships, but an understanding of power and its dynamics in forest management situations is lacking. In addition, governance outcomes of decentralized forest management in a state-community institutional configuration are unclear. Understanding how instances of decentralized community-based forest management (CBFM) operate and how participants perceive the governance outcomes of this system is needed to improve governance structures and processes. The case of CBFM in Madagascar is used to explore the power dynamics of decentralized governance of forests. In Madagascar, the government has adopted a policy known as Contractual Forest Management to achieve community-based forest management. Data collection took place in two phases. To understand forest-related interests, I conducted semi-structured, open-ended interviews of community members in eight villages in the Menabe region, state forest agents at the local and national level, and participating NGO staff from two NGOs at the local and national level in Menabe and Antananarivo, Madagascar (n=55). I also conducted participant-observation and document review. The second phase involved a quantitative survey of participants in 12 CBFM contracts in Madagascar (n=621). Findings suggest that all three categories of actors (i.e., community members, forest agency staff, and NGO employees) are generally satisfied with governance outcomes of CBFM, with forest agency staff the least satisfied. Overall, decentralization of forest management in Madagascar has had a more tangible effect on institutional-level relationships than on individual-level capacity to act. It has not "empowered" local communities. Rather, it begins to open a space in which individuals, located in various social positions, can act to transform pre-existing power relations.

Power Dynamics in African Forests

Power Dynamics in African Forests
Author: Symphorien Ongolo
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-12-15
Genre:
ISBN: 9781032425108

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This book addresses historical perspectives and contemporary challenges of the politics of forestland governance and the related sustainability crisis in Africa. It focusses on the power dynamics between key actors involved in the governance of forest-related resources either for their exploitation or with regards to biodiversity conservation policies promoted at international arenas. The book provides conceptual and empirical contributions on what happens when global sustainability agendas and the related policy instruments meet the realities of domestic politics in Africa. It reveals that several actors in forest-rich countries, especially those with limited sovereignty, have often employed complex informal strategies as the 'weapon of the weak' to resist the domination of the most powerful actors of global environmental politics.

Handbook on Adaptive Governance

Handbook on Adaptive Governance
Author: Sirkku Juhola
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 283
Release: 2023-02-14
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1800888244

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The interconnectedness of global society is increasingly visible through crises such as the current global health pandemic, emerging climate change impacts and increasing erosion of biodiversity. This timely Handbook navigates the challenges of adaptive governance in these complex contexts, stressing the necessarily compounded nature of bio-physical and social systems to ensure more desirable governance outcomes.

Governing Africa's Forests in a Globalized World

Governing Africa's Forests in a Globalized World
Author: Laura Anne German
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 435
Release: 2009-12-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1136545514

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Many countries around the world are engaged in decentralization processes, and most African countries face serious problems with forest governance, from benefits sharing to illegality and sustainable forest management. This book summarizes experiences to date on the extent and nature of decentralization and its outcomes - most of which suggest an underperformance of governance reforms - and explores the viability of different governance instruments in the context of weak governance and expanding commercial pressures over forests. Findings are grouped into two thematic areas: decentralization, livelihoods and sustainable forest management; and international trade, finance and forest sector governance reforms. The authors examine diverse forces shaping the forest sector, including the theory and practice of decentralization, usurpation of authority, corruption and illegality, inequitable patterns of benefits capture and expansion of international trade in timber and carbon credits, and discuss related outcomes on livelihoods, forest condition and equity. The book builds on earlier volumes exploring different dimensions of decentralization and perspectives from other world regions, and distills dimensions of forest governance that are both unique to Africa and representative of broader global patterns. The authors ground their analysis in relevant theory while drawing out implications of their findings for policy and practice.

Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Asia, Volume 3

Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Asia, Volume 3
Author: Ganesh Shivakoti
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2016-09-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0128104740

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Redefining Diversity and Dynamics of Natural Resources Management in Southeast Asia, Volumes 1-4 brings together scientific research and policy issues across various topographical areas in Asia to provide a comprehensive overview of the issues facing this region. Natural Resource Dynamics and Social Ecological Systems in Central Vietnam: Development, Resource Changes and Conservation Issues, Volume 3, focuses on the issues specific to Central Vietnam that are also found globally. War had significantly impacted both land and water resources, from which it had to recover environmentally. Additionally, this is an area with growing urbanization pressures and industrial development, both of which are known for stretching resources beyond their limits. The introduction of several hydro-electric power projects have even further eroded the local agricultural and forest ecosystems. This volume looks at Central Vietnam holistically, from management and use to policy and data-driven solutions. Provides land management practitioners and policy makers with the tools to deal with natural resource issues in a developing nation Reviews the impacts of the first PES, Payment for Ecosystem Services, policies upon which were based similar programs in Latin America Reviews the current and potential future land management of Central Vietnam, giving an eye to solutions for any nation impacted by war, trying to balance development with conservation efforts and provide their populations with sustainable economic futures Examines Central Vietnam holistically, from management and use to policy and data-driven solutions

The Politics of Decentralization

The Politics of Decentralization
Author: Carol J. Pierce Colfer
Publisher: Earthscan
Total Pages: 331
Release: 2012
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1849773211

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Decentralization is sweeping the world and having dramatic and far-reaching impacts on resource management and livelihoods, particularly in forestry. This book is the most up-to-date examination of the themes, experiences and lessons learned from decentralization worldwide. Drawing on research and support from all of the major international forestry and conservation organizations, the book provides a balanced account that covers the impact of decentralization on resource management worldwide, and provides comparative global insights with wide implications for policy, management, conservation and resource use and planning. Topics covered include forest governance in federal systems, democratic decentralization of forests and natural resources, paths and pitfalls in decentralization and biodiversity conservation in decentralized forests. The book provides in-depth case studies of decentralization from Bolivia, Ghana, Indonesia, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland, Uganda and the US, as well as highlights from federal countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India and Malaysia. It also addresses the critical links between the state, forests, communities and power relations in a range of regions and circumstances, and provides case examples of how decentralization has been viewed and experienced by communities in Guatemala, Philippines and Zimbabwe. The Politics of Decentralization is state-of-the-art coverage of decentralization and is essential for practitioners, academics and policy-makers across forestry and the full spectrum of natural resource management.

International Forest Policies in Indonesia: International Influences, Power Changes and Domestic Responses in REDD+, One Map and Forest Certification Politics

International Forest Policies in Indonesia: International Influences, Power Changes and Domestic Responses in REDD+, One Map and Forest Certification Politics
Author: Agung Wibowo
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2016-01-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 373698183X

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The political contention that considers forests to be mere economic assets to achieve state welfare has slowly changed into a more conservative view since the Ninth World Forestry Congress in Mexico in 1985 rightly acknowledged that there has been severe tropical forest destruction and environmental deterioration around the globe.