Rehabilitation and Restoration Of Degraded Forests (PDF) - IUCN

Chapter 5: When and where to intervene
An example of this last scenario is found in Nepal. Community
interest in small-scale local reforestation efforts was an important
indicator in deciding where to use scarce resources. If there was little
local interest, experience indicated that success would be unlikely, in
spite of the outside perception of importance or need (Gilmour and
Fisher 1991). Further, success tends to breed success. Once the
benefits of restoration have been demonstrated, previously disinterested
communities frequently develop a strong interest in becoming
involved, although there have to be tangible benefits to compensate for
their efforts. In Nepal, a small external stimulus was able to trigger a
significant local involvement; over a decade this turned into a largescale
undertaking that transformed the landscape across much of the
Middle Hills region of Nepal. Another successful restoration initiative
was carried out in the Shinyanga region of Tanzania in East Africa,
where there was a significant improvement in local benefits and in
ecological integrity (see Case Study 8.12).
5.2.1 Likelihood of change
The extent to which planned interventions are likely to lead to changes
(real or perceived) in local communities’ access to existing natural
resources is an important factor. An example of this comes from Papua
New Guinea, where most land is owned by traditional land owners. It
is difficult for government agencies or other external bodies to undertake
any form of reforestation, even on clearly degraded grassland sites,
because land owners are suspicious that this is the first stage in a
government attempt to seize control of their land. Under these
circumstances any approach to reforestation to overcome degradation
necessitates extensive negotiation.
5.2.2 Impact of the intervention on local livelihoods
Imperata grasslands are found throughout the tropics. The species is
widely regarded as a useless weed, and these grasslands often become
the target of reforestation projects. Many local communities do get
some benefit from these grasslands, however (Dove 1986). Reforestation
that reduces the amount of grasslands may have a negative impact
on local communities unless there is compensation of some sort.
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