Decentralization Forests and Rural Communities

This book argues that policy solutions to resource dilemmas faced by forest-accessing rural communities must be flexible, and must allow for local dynamics and innovations to take place. It also debates the balance that needs to be struck: simply decentralize authority in toto or retain some core elements necessary to achieve sustainable management and conservation of forests. Presenting case studies from Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, this volume investigates how decentralization is affecting local stakeholders and their management of forest resources. The contributors conclude that the variety of contextual situations in Asia requires an equally diverse set of institutional solutions. They argue that due to a remarkable diversity of challenges, structural variables, support structures and outcomes (as documented in the case studies in the volume), the solutions for sustainable decentralized forest management will be as varied as the contexts themselves.