Forest Certification in Developing and Transitioning ... - UTas ePrints

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forest certification in developing and transitioning countries
at the moment is to minimize disturbance to the natural processes and this is what is
promoted by certification. There is a marked difference between ZAFFICO and NPP
plantations even though these were one plantation only three years ago. NPP
plantations are well managed, all silvicultural operations are being done, and the
management plan is being followed, which is not the case in ZAFFICO plantations.
Currently there are a number of activities outside the certified area such as
charcoal production, cultivation and forest harvest. These activities are under the
control of the Zambian and Congolese governments. The surrounding area is
therefore being rapidly converted to non-forestry uses although the plantation is well
managed.
There are efforts to protect threatened and endangered species and also to
maintain biodiversity. In the case of NPP, the start has been very good. Within the
1092 ha, some areas have been reserved as high conservation value while conservation
corridors for animals have also been created. Although this is a monoculture
plantation, other tree species (normally treated as weeds) are being allowed to
proliferate. Impacts of usage of heavy equipment have been identified and remedial
measures recommended are being implemented.
In Northwestern province people have always known the importance of
maintaining the forests. The low population density (14 per km 2 ) has made this easy.
Since forest certification has not survived there, it is not possible to tell whether it is
a beneficial exercise for the forest.
For MCOSC on the Copperbelt, the opportunity to obtain money for the
mushrooms through the market is an incentive to conserve the forests rather than
convert the land to agriculture.
conclusion
Two major forest problems — ecological and economic — have been identified in
Zambia. The expectations are that forest certification should help solve these
problems by forcing forest managers to manage their forests sustainably and in an
environmentally acceptable manner. In return, products from the well-managed
forests should fetch returns that would pay for the management of these forests as
well as improve the livelihood of the communities that live in and around the forests.
The following conclusions have been drawn from the author’s observations and
comments of those in the management of forests in Zambia.
Summary
Certification in Zambia emerged through the desire of local companies and development
organizations to gain accessibility to foreign markets. The liberalization of the
Zambian economy and introduction of a free market in all industries, coupled with
the government’s sale of controlling interests in the forest products industry through
privatization, has led to a mushrooming of forest-based industries in the country.
yale school of forestry & environmental studies