Dear Readers”
Throughout the region” stories continue to emerge of local people struggling to access forests. This month” headlines from Cambodia” India” Indonesia” and Thailand all announced new conflicts over rights to use” live in” or manage forestland.
These articles underscore the importance of addressing local people’s needs and wants in planning forest management” and they often capture the media’s attention. But what happens when local people have access to forests? How do we help local people gain the most benefits? RECOFTC’s Madankumar Janakiraman suggests one way forward” describing a successful Timor Leste local enterprise in this month’s commentary.
In other news” RECOFTC is pleased to announce the launch of its new website” www.recoftc.org. With a fresh new look” the site presents clear and engaging background information on community forestry in Asia and the Pacific and key issues for forests and people in the region. The new design also gives user-friendly access to all of our services” trainings” publications” news” videos” and events.
Until next month”
Alison Rohrs
Editor” People and Forests E-News
International: Keeping Forest Dwellers Involved in Forest Protection and REDD
Reuters” 8 February 2011
A new report by the Rights and Resources Initiative argues that forest residents who own or otherwise control the land they live on have a strong incentive to protect it from illegal loggers and other destructive pressures. But an increasing number of REDD deals and growing world competition for timber and minerals are stalling progress on indigenous people's land rights.
Cambodia: Hundreds of Locals Protest Forest Concession
Phnom Penh Post” 1 March 2011
In late February” 400 villagers entered Prey Lang forest” one of Cambodia’s largest” and demanded that a Vietnamese rubber company stop clearing land. They claimed it is community land that supports their livelihoods. The company countered that the government owns the land.
Related articles:
Villagers Defy Officials to Stage Protest (Phnom Penh Post)
NGOs urge action on Prey Lang (Phnom Penh Post)
India: For Parks” Tribal Rights Trampled
Times of India” 12 February 2011
In order to ensure that 600-odd national parks and sanctuaries remain inviolate (free of human presence) the environmental ministry has issued new guidelines that fall foul of the Forest Rights Act. The act was intended to hand traditional rights over forests back to tribal groups and local people.
Indonesia: Community Forestry Impeded by Officials
Jakarta Post” 26 February 2011
The Van Vollenhoven Institute has released a report showing that local administrations in Indonesia are preventing the formation of community forests and are instead awarding forest access to businesses. Although the Forestry Ministry established 78″110 hectares of land for community forests by the end of 2010″ regency administrations have only issued business permits for 29″680 hectares of that land.
Indonesia: Palm Oil Giant Vows to Spare Most Valuable Rainforest
Guardian” 9 February 2011
The world's second biggest palm oil company” Golden Agri-Resources Limited” has agreed to halt deforestation in valuable areas of Indonesian forest” bowing to pressure from Western food processors and conservationists. However” the company is still free to exploit other areas of forest that have lower levels of biodiversity.
Nepal: Deforestation Probe Highlights Corruption of More Than 100 Officials
Himalayan Times” 24 February 2011
In 2010″ Nepal witnessed its worst deforestation in the past 30 years. A commission that was formed to investigate the deforestation has recommended that the government to take action against more than 100 corrupt officials – ranging from forest guards to high-level officials to community forest users’ groups.
Philippines: Total Logging Ban Will Cause More Damage than Good
Manila Bulletin” 16 February 2011
Forestry professor Rex Victor Cruz” a Nobel Laureate” is publicly speaking out against President Aquino’s country-wide logging ban. His studies show that illegal loggers will destroy the forests more than the concessionaires. Instead” he suggests a sustainable forest management program.
Thailand: Endless Quest for Land Justice
Bangkok Post” 24 February 2011
The National Reform Committee has proposed progressive land reforms” which may help pave the way for a more equitable land ownership system. However” this opinion piece argues” the reforms do not deal with the crux of their land rights problem: state landlords and the top-down natural resources management that defies the villagers' community rights.
Related article:
Villagers Demand 35 Community Forestland Deeds (Bangkok Post)
Read the rest of the newsletter here.