Why institutional reforms in forestry? Lessons from international experience
Profound changes have taken place, worldwide, during the last decade. These political, economic, and institutional changes have contributed to redefine the role of the state in all sectors, including natural resources. This article discusses traditional shortcomings of forest departments and new challenges they face arising from the changes in national policies and global concerns. Worldwide trends, such as civil service reforms, decentralization of government, increased local community involvement in resource management, and divestiture of state-owned enterprises impact the forestry sector, already faced with shrinking forest areas, decreased revenues, and government downsizing. To survive, forest departments need to form strategic partnerships with other stakeholders, get out of forest activities where they do not have a comparative advantage, and focus on core functions that governments do best. Examples are given from countries in Asia and the Pacific. Two country case studies are presented discussing Nepal's experience with Forest User Groups and New Zealand's experience with privatization of forestry.
Forest Organisations in Change: Examples from the Tropics and Subtropics
An overview is given on forest institutions and organisations and their development with special emphasis on the tropics and subtropics. A historical review shows the institutional development and increasing diversification of forest organisations. This is interpreted in line with the general socio-economic situation and the increasing range of needs that human society derives from forests. It is assumed that numerous case studies on forest organisations exist, but a systematic comparative analysis doesn’t. The article is based on an explorative review; its goal is to serve as a platform for further systematic analysis of forest organisations in the tropics and subtropics.
Managing the world's forests : looking for balance between conservation and development
The loss of large expanses of forests, especially in the tropics, poses a serious threat to human welfare and the global environment. The increasing rate of deforestation has now become a serious concern of the world community. People everywhere want natural forests in both tropical and temperate regions to be protected. And nations must manage forest resources more efficiently to benefit present and future generations. Because of the serious local, national, and global consequences of destructive deforestation, the World Bank undertook a comprehensive study in mid-1989 to review its existing forestry policies and projects, to assess the forestry situation in a global context, and to define a new forest policy to guide its future operations in the sector. The study, based on an interdisciplinary approach, used expertise associated with forestry activities and development from within and outside the Bank. Academic institutions, bilateral and multilateral agencies, nongovernment organizations, and researchers-all were invited to discuss policy, institutional, and technical issues and possible solutions for sustainable use of forest resources. These groups outside the Bank developed numerous working papers that provided valuable input for developing the Bank's approach to forestry. The Bank has recently issued its new forest policy, reiterating its commitment to helping developing countries to move toward conservation and sustainable development of forest resources. Another important product of the Bank's initiative is this book, which represents diverse views of many authors from social, physical, and biological sciences. The book provides different perspectives on the world forestry situation and options for development.