Six Important Developments in Forestry in Asia and Africa after 1980

Six Important Developments in Forestry in Asia and Africa after 1980

Since 1980’s government policies in Asia and Africa have undergone a sea change.

(i) Instead of scientific forestry and the policy of keeping forest communities away from forests, conservation of forests and not collection of wood has become the most important goal.

(ii) To meet its goal the government must involve people who live near the forests.

(iii) Governments instead of being in a conflict situation or ousting the local people e.g., tribals, have realised cooperation of the local people and their participation in policies and actions are an essential ingredient for success in conservation and development of forests.

(iv) In fact in India dense forests have survived due to local efforts. Villages protected them in sacred groves known as kan, rai and sarnas.

(v) Some villages patrolled their own forests with each household taking turns instead of leaving it to forests guards.

(vi) Local forest communities and environmentalists today are thinking of different forms of forest management.