Chapter 7 Forestry: Reforestation, Natural Forest Management

• Balancing reforestation with natural forest management. As notedearlier, many people still have the mistaken impression that reforestationis the solution to deforestation. In fact, continued efforts bygovernments and their donor partners to counter deforestation throughreforestation projects is one reason that natural forest managementcapacities and systems remain underdeveloped in sub-Saharan Africa.Even more disturbing are well-intentioned reforestation campaigns andprograms that lead to the final clearing of secondary natural forests inorder to establish tree plantations.In most countries, as discussed earlier, deforestation is driven bypolicies and programs outside the forestry sector, and it easily outpacesthe reforestation rate. It makes little sense to pour scarce resources intoreforestation and agroforestry if the forces leading to degradation (e.g.,high-grading and illegal logging) and deforestation (e.g., land clearingbecause of exhausted soils and population growth) remain unchecked.• Balancing short-term pressures with long-term sustainability.National policies must also balance short-term pressures on forests withlong-term sustainability. The long gestation period for forestry projectsrequires a supportive, stable policy environment and the capability toproduce planned benefits. Since many of the pressures on forests arisefrom local people’s efforts to meet urgent, basic needs, forestrydevelopment programs must supply tangible benefits for communitieson a shorter time scale. These short-term returns should, however, becoupled with longer-term sustainable payoffs.Many sub-Saharan African communities already depend on resourcesharvested from shrinking or degraded forests. Forestry programs cannotexpect local communities to absorb all of the tradeoffs (such as loss ofproduction) required to implement sustainable forest management, even ifthe measures are the direct results of their own unsustainable use of theresource base. Governments and their donor partners must, therefore, createappropriate incentives that allow local communities the luxury of planningfor the future. Again, enabling local communities to profit from bettermanagement of the forest resource base has proven to be the most effectivemethod for guaranteeing conservation and wise use of forests andwoodlands.• The role of women in the forestry sector. In sub-Saharan Africa as inmany other parts of the world, women—particularly as gatherers offuelwood—play a predominant role in the traditional use of forestresources. Women’s knowledge, views, needs and involvement shouldbe built into all forestry activities. Forming a women’s forestrycommittee, or similar local organizations, is often fundamental toensuring the representation and participation of the entire community.• Expanding from small-scale/pilot projects to national programs. Inmany sub-Saharan African countries, there is a growing awareness ofthe potential of sustainable forest management as a viable andproductive land-use option. Pilot projects for community-basedmanagement of natural forests now complement decades of investmentin reforestation and agroforestry programs. But, despite growingIn most countries,deforestation is drivenby forces outside theforestry sector, and iteasily outpaces thereforestation rate. Itmakes little sense topour scarce resourcesinto reforestation andagroforestry if the forcesleading to degradationand deforestation remainunchecked.EGSSAA: FORESTRY • March 2009 • download from www.encapafrica.org9 of 30