Contribution of Forestry to Poverty Alleviation - APFNet
Contribution of Forestry to Poverty Alleviation - APFNet
Contribution of Forestry to Poverty Alleviation - APFNet
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credits. The suppliers <strong>of</strong> credits are landowners who agree <strong>to</strong> set aside all or part <strong>of</strong> their land as a biobank<br />
site and manage this site for conservation. Credits can be purchased by developers, by conservationists,<br />
and even by individuals (either for philanthropic reasons or for speculative purposes). To date, the<br />
demand for most biodiversity credits come from developers who are required by law <strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fset the<br />
negative impact <strong>of</strong> their development. It is well acknowledged that the NSW BioBanking Scheme works<br />
because <strong>of</strong> strict law enforcement. The framework for the scheme was established under Part 7A <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and is supported by the Threatened Species Conservation<br />
(Biodiversity Banking) Regulation 2008, the BioBanking Assessment Methodology, and the Compliance<br />
Assurance Strategy. Thailand has parallel laws. The difference is that the law only focuses on the<br />
command and control side. There are limited attempts <strong>to</strong> create incentives for compliance and adequate<br />
penalties for non-compliance.<br />
Turning back <strong>to</strong> KARN-WS, it would appear that there is a basis <strong>to</strong> generate the supply <strong>of</strong> environmental<br />
goods but <strong>to</strong> create demand on a scale that will give momentum for PES both for KARN-WS and for<br />
other potential PES sites in Thailand, requires a revamping <strong>of</strong> the legal <strong>to</strong>ols which already exist <strong>to</strong><br />
create effective demand for conservation services in the same way that the biobanking scheme was<br />
established for New South Wales.<br />
The Outlook for <strong>Forestry</strong> and <strong>Poverty</strong> <strong>Alleviation</strong><br />
With the outcome <strong>of</strong> the recent general elections and the change in government, there seems <strong>to</strong> be<br />
uncertainty over the future <strong>of</strong> forestry and poverty alleviation policies. Nevertheless, there is at least<br />
the consolation that the macro-economic policy framework, in principle, is supported. Under the 11th<br />
National Plan, the goal <strong>of</strong> poverty alleviation is embedded in the vision <strong>of</strong> “a happy society with equity,<br />
fairness and resilience” and in broader statements such as adhering <strong>to</strong> the “guidance <strong>of</strong> the Sufficiency<br />
Economy Philosophy”, “people-centered development”, and “broad base participation approaches<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards balanced, integrated, and holistic development”. Promoting better income distribution is also<br />
reiterated as one <strong>of</strong> the missions during this plan period. Widening social disparity has led <strong>to</strong> conflicts<br />
in Thai society and is recognized, as well as the problem <strong>of</strong> persistence <strong>of</strong> poverty and indebtedness,<br />
particularly among farmers.<br />
Income inequality and poverty issues are addressed under the strategy <strong>of</strong> promoting a just society. Four<br />
broader objectives are specified under this strategy:<br />
1. <strong>to</strong> create opportunities for all <strong>to</strong> access funding, resources, and income earnings,<br />
2. <strong>to</strong> increase income and social security,<br />
3. <strong>to</strong> assist the poor, the underprivileged, foreign labor and labor force in the informal sec<strong>to</strong>r,<br />
and the ethnic groups <strong>to</strong> gain access <strong>to</strong> social services on equity basis,<br />
4. <strong>to</strong> support all concerned development partners <strong>to</strong> participate in inequality alleviation and<br />
conflict resolution processes in an efficient manner and <strong>to</strong> jointly develop the country<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards a society with quality.<br />
The 11th Plan acknowledges that due <strong>to</strong> geographical changes and over-utilization, natural resources<br />
and the natural wealth <strong>of</strong> the country were depleted and that deterioration in the natural resources<br />
and environment is both a risk and weakness. The plan also recognizes that ultimately this will affect<br />
the performance <strong>of</strong> the economic sec<strong>to</strong>rs and well-being <strong>of</strong> the people. On natural resources and<br />
environment, the main objective is <strong>to</strong> nurture natural resources and environment <strong>to</strong> improve the quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> natural resources and environmental quality. Under the strategy <strong>of</strong> managing natural resources<br />
and environment <strong>to</strong>wards sustainability, the focus is on conserving and res<strong>to</strong>ring natural resources,<br />
improving management efficiency, and ensuring fairness in the access and use <strong>of</strong> natural resources.<br />
Measures are listed for each <strong>of</strong> these strategies. Conserving and res<strong>to</strong>ring natural resources is <strong>to</strong> be<br />
done by:<br />
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