FoxHershockMappingCommunities

the real outside pressure has not yet begun in earnest, and
that the NTFP’s impact in empowering communities to
defend their resources has not yet been tested.
In conclusion the NTFP is an organization that is reasonably
comfortable with sketch mapping activities, although the
resulting maps have perhaps not yet been used to their
fullest potential for internally raising village awareness and
improving land management. NTFP staff members use GIS
technologies more out of necessity than anything else, and
this form of map making is given a low priority.
Consequently, achieving government recognition of villager
plans and maps is progressing slowly. The NTFP needs to
think carefully about what their villager partners will require
in a fast changing environment where their fertile lands will
be in high demand. Perhaps the overall conclusion is that
both sketch and GIS maps can be effectively used to
empower communities, but their uses differ. The NTFP
needs to decide on its priority activities and objectives. If
sketch maps are considered more appropriate for the core
task of strengthening internal management, then staff
members need considerably more training in how to
facilitate the design and implementation of village land-use
plans. If gaining recognition of village lands from
government authorities is prioritized, then a much stronger
commitment is required to allocating funding for GIS
equipment, workspace and staff time, training technicians
and community mapping trainers, and in raising the
understanding of all staff members.
40