Examples of forestry policy affecting other areas

In this section examples are grouped according to the income and forest cover of the countries affected as a sector based classification was inappropriate.

All countries potentially affected

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
88	Douglas Williamson	FAO		FORC
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Colonised countries		All/Several
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
All	All	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Wide ranging effects
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
-2	0		0		0
Summary
Indigenous rights are often ignored by policy makers and thus forestry concessions are awarded with no provision made with respect to the rights of local people.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

High income, high and low forest cover countries

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
89	Adrian Whiteman	FAO		FONS
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Europe		Europe
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	All	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	-1		0		1
Summary
In many, and most European, countries land conversion from forest through cutting of trees without replanting is forbidden no matter how productive the land is. This may be seen as a negative effect on agriculture which is denied the use of land with which it could reap greater revenues than forestry.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

High income, high forest cover countries

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
90	Lennart Ljungman	FAO		FON
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
France		Europe
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	-1		0		1
Summary
The prohibition of development in forest areas in France has resulted in forest burning in order to 'liberate' land for other activities.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
91	Susan Braatz	FAO		FONS
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
United States of America	58.5 million acres of forest	North America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	-1		1		1
Summary
The roadless rule in the United States of America which is currently being fought in the courts, after a federal judge in Idaho issued an injunction, may lead to forest areas being protected from road building for conservation purposes. The Roadless Area Conservation Rule, instituted by President Bill Clinton just before he left office, designated 58.5 million acres in national forests off-limits to road building, most timber harvesting, and other development requiring roads. Under the Clinton rule, more than half of the 192 million acres of national forest would remain available for logging, mining or other activity. The rule would have limited economic impact, since the roadless areas would have provided less than half of 1 percent of the nation's timber. Existing oil and gas leases (which provide less than 1 percent of domestic production) would stay in place. Opponents argue that access to national forests would be limited without new roads and that banning new roads will put communities at greater risk from wildfire.. According to The Wilderness Society, roadless areas: Provide sources of clean drinking water; Protect water quality for fishing and swimming; Function as biological strongholds for rare wildlife; Provide large, relatively undisturbed landscapes important for protecting the web of life, etc. On the other hand they say, the commodity values in roadless areas are not significant.
Policy name or reference
The roadless rule
Supporting references, web sites, etc.
http://www.safnet.org/policy/psst/roadspos.htm; http://www.safnet.org/archive/roadless801.htm; http://www.wilderness.org/standbylands/roadless/index.htm

Number	Name			Affiliation	Department
92	Materne Maetz			FAO	TCAS
Country/ies	Area/region			Continent	Other countries with similar policies
France	North and Central, but especially North east			Europe
Income	Forest cover			Policy involved
High	High			Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users		Special economic sectors	Soil & water		Natural environment
0		0	0		1
Summary
A storm in France (26-28/12/99) caused extensive forest damage. Subsidies to reforest have been given and this is leading to more complex forest being planted. Parmi les mesures gouvernementales pour les victimes des intempéries, un programme spécifique en faveur de la foret regroupe trois objectifs majeurs: assurer la mobilisation des bois, permettre le stockage et favoriser la valorisation des bois, organiser la reconstitution des écosystèmes forestiers. Les engagements financiers pris par le gouvernement s’élèvent d'ores et déjà a plus de deux milliards de francs pour l'exercice 2000, auxquels s'ajoute la mise en place d'une enveloppe de prêts bonifies de douze milliards de francs. Six cents millions de francs par an pendant dix ans viendront aider les propriétaires a la reconstitution des peuplements détruits. Des mesures fiscales et sociales complètent également ces dispositions. La reconstitution des forets sinistrées sera subventionnée par l'Etat. Il sera recherche systématiquement un taux élevé de subvention, sans prise en compte d'un autofinancement calcule sur les ventes de bois pour les parcelles fortement sinistrées. L'importance de ces aides a la reconstitution (600 MF/an pendant 10 ans) est a la mesure du traumatisme subi par les forets françaises.
Policy name or reference
Un plan national pour la foret française après les chablis
Supporting references, web sites, etc.
http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/storm/fra/france.htm

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
93	Jim Bourke	FAO		FOPH
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
New Zealand		Oceania
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	0		1		1
Summary
Under the 1981 Resource Management Act, logging operators are required to work under certain environmental guidelines so that they do not damage waterways. In some cases they are required to leave a 'riparian' strip of trees either side of the watercourse to prevent soil disturbed during logging from entering water supplies.
Policy name or reference
The Resource Management Act
Supporting references, web sites, etc.
http://www.maf.govt.nz/MAFnet/sectors/forestry/forind/forind05.htm#E10E23

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
94	Kari Keipi	Inter-American Development Bank
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Chile		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region, also temperate oceanic and sub-tropical dry forest
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
0	2		0	0
Summary
Privatisation and incentive mechanisms increased investments in the Chilean forestry sector and resulted in the conversion of unprofitable farmland into profitable forestland.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
95	Susan Braatz	FAO		FONS
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
United States of America	North west	North America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
High	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Temperate and boreal forest in an industrialised country with a market economy,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
1	-1		0	1
Summary
The threat of extinction of the spotted owl led to measures to prevent logging of old growth forest in the United States of America. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that 8.2 million acres of Federal and state land be declared critical habitat for the Federally designated threatened species (Northern Spotted Owl). The director of the Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific region, said that critical habitat neither establishes "owl sanctuaries" nor bans human activities in such areas and that all that is required under the law is for Federal actions that might adversely modify critical habitat to be consulted on. A team of economists studied the effects of the proposal on Federal Treasury revenues, the timber industry, and regional employment. The team estimated the proposal could result in a net $43 million loss of revenue to the Federal Treasury, a reduction of $54 million in timber sales, and elimination of 2,458 timber industry-related jobs.
Policy name or reference
The US Endangered species act as implemented in regard to the Northern Spotted Owl
Supporting references, web sites, etc.
http://news.fws.gov/historic/1991/19910805.pdf; http://endangered.fws.gov/i/B6K.html; http://www.wii.com/; http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~miluska/

Number	Name		Affiliation		Department
96	Mauricio Rosales/Manuel Sanchez		FAO		AGAL
Country/ies	Area/region		Continent		Other countries with similar policies
World-wide	Latin America		All/Several
Income	Forest cover		Policy involved
High	High		Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors	Soil & water		Natural environment
1	1	0		0
Summary
Grazing animals benefit tree growth and yield in forestry plantations by clearing weeds and material that potentially fuels forest fires. Grasses, weeds and shrubs can decrease the establishment and success of the tree resource by competing for nutrients and water. They can also dry quickly during drought and create thus fuel in wildfires. Managed grazing with livestock can provide weed reduction and also income throughout the rotation of the forest resources. There are also some disadvantages if the system is not properly implemented. These include soil disturbance, soil erosion, and damage to trees. Tree damage is defined as browsing the trees, which may result in decreased growth or malformation. Providing more attractive forage can reduce tree browsing and older and more experienced the sheep may also be used, causing less damage to trees.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.
http://www.fao.org/lead/toolbox/Grazing/LGH3.htm; http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ANSC442/Semprojs/forest/sheep.html; http://www.mountkenyatrust.com/other_pages/listofthreats.htm

Low income, high forest cover countries

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
97	Ali Mekouar	FAO		LEGN
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Honduras		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
-2	-1		0	0
Summary
Over 70% of land in Honduras is considered forestland which effectively prevents many activities such as grazing and agriculture without permission from the forestry department.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
98	Kari Keipi	Inter-American Development Bank
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Costa Rica		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a high population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
-2	0		0	-1
Summary
In Costa Rica during the 1980s, increases in rural poverty and deforestation were partly the result of past bureaucratic procedures in forest policy implementation.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
99	Jim Carle/Dominique Reeb/Johann Lejeune	FAO		FORM
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Cambodia	Tonle Sap lake	Asia
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
-1	-1		0	0
Summary
Tonle Sap lake and river in the Siem Reap region of Cambodia is surrounded by seasonally inundated forest. When the water level is low the banks are logged which results in the loss of fish habitat. There was no clear forest policy for the area although the fishing concessions were controlled by the military or given out to private concerns. Therefore the area suffered from a lack of forest policy as well as a lack of integration of fisheries and forestry policy. The fishing concessions are now, however, granted to local communities as much of the military is being demobilised due to the reduced threat of the Khymer Rouge. This is likely to result in better integration of policies as the communities have vested interests in both forestry and fisheries.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
100	Luc Dubreuil	FAO		TCII
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
India		Asia
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a high population density, also tropical shrubland and tropical dry forest
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
-1	-1		0	0
Summary
In India, Joint forest management projects are usually run by a corporation although the forest department often has ultimate control over the land such that for example, health and education ministries can do nothing without permission. This effectively obstructs rural development.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
101	Pablo Pacheco/Peter Bailey	FAO		FONP
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Bolivia		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density, also highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors	Soil & water	Natural environment
-1	1	0	-1
Summary
The macro-economic policy reforms implemented in the country since mid-1980, with objectives to promote economic growth, have largely favoured the modern sectors of the economy and negatively impacted poor people. Some land and forest policy instruments contribute to the improvement of poor people’s livelihoods such as the recognition of indigenous territories, the allocation of forest rights to small-scale timber producers, and the rights of all landholders to use the forest resources within their properties. Some policy instruments work in the opposite sense such as rigid regulations to authorise forest management and land use. The government has done little to improve poor people’s access to institutional assets such as productive infrastructure, micro-credit networks, market information and technology transference. Little effort has been made to develop proposals oriented to enhance forest poor livelihoods from non-timber forest resources, forest ecological services and other biodiversity based-sources of income. The forest policy reform’s main shortcomings are that it has considered private forest companies as the main agent of forest management in Bolivia and it regulates forest management having in mind only to the lowlands forest.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.
Country Profile for the Forum on "The Role of Forestry in Poverty Alleviation" Facilitated by the Forestry Department - FAO September 2001 BOLIVIA Pablo Pacheco [email protected]

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
102	Kari Keipi	Inter-American Development Bank
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Bolivia		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density, also highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
0	0		1	1
Summary
Timber certification in Bolivia has had positive effects on the environment through increases in area set-aside for conservation within forest concessions. There has also been a slowing in the rate of deforestation.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
103	Thomas Hofer	FAO		FORC
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
India		Asia
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
0	0		1	1
Summary
The policies of reafforestation in the Himalayas to prevent sedimentation and flooding in Bangladesh are misguided because deforestation contributes little to the problems. These is some difficulty in accessing information on the subject because water sharing agreements involving the Ganges are highly political.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
104	Kari Keipi	Inter-American Development Bank
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Nicaragua		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
0	0		2	0
Summary
The participatory design of forest legislation and policies in Nicaragua raised the public profile of the sector and through this 'advertising' facilitated new watershed management investments with important forestry components.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name		Affiliation		Department
105	Fausto Lazo/Peter Bailey		FAO		FONP
Country/ies	Area/region		Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Honduras			South and Central America
Income	Forest cover		Policy involved
Low	High		No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users		Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
1		0		0		0
Summary
The fact that Honduras is highly suited to forest growth and that 53.2 percent of the national territory is covered with forest mean that the sector could play a significant role in the national economy and in the alleviation of poverty. If properly tapped, this potential could generate as much as 25 percent of GDP. Estimates compiled by the Central Bank of Honduras suggest that for the period 1975-1989 forestry's contribution to the national economy represented 4.3 percent of GDP. More recent studies estimate that in 1997 the forest sector accounted for some 9 percent of GDP and for 7 percent of national foreign currency earnings. Despite this, most of the 40 percent of the population that lives in forest areas has only had access to forest resources for traditional purposes other than the logging: fuelwood, resin, wood for housing, livestock grazing, recreation, medicinal and ornamental plants and hunting. The small proportion of the population that has had access to timber for commercial purposes has gained this access through usufruct agreements under the Forest Social System. The beneficiary families involved only represent some 60 000 persons and 9 000 households which is inadequate, considering that 40 percent of the national population lives in forested areas.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.
Country Profile for the Forum on "The Role of Forestry in Poverty Alleviation" Facilitated by the Forestry Department - FAO September 2001 HONDURAS Prepared by Fausto Lazo [email protected]

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
106	Douglas Williamson	FAO		FORC
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America		All/Several
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Wide ranging effects
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
1	1		-1	-2
Summary
Road network creation in forests to facilitate logging operations have led to increased hunting for bushmeat which although providing employment may threaten the survival of some species.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
107	Carlos Carneiro	FAO		FAORLC
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Bolivia		South and Central America
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	High	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density, also highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
1	1		1	1
Summary
The case of Bolivia: A forestry sector policy- The Forestry Law-N° 1,700 gives important support to the Agrarian Reform Law N° 1,715 in actions related to sustainable forest management. However, it was established without the necessary studies such that a new forestry sector institutional structure was installed without the necessary financial and human resources. It was therefore criticised by many civil society actors. The mentioned laws cover the whole country and affect mainly the agricultural, agrarian reform, indigenous and forestry sectors. Law 1,700- The Forestry Law of 1,996 aims to i) sustainably utilise and protect forests and lands to the benefits of the actual and future generations; ii) promote the establishment of sustainable forestry activities, obtain sustainable yields, protect and rehabilitate watersheds and foster environmental education; iii) integrate utilisations of the forests; iv) promote the integral use of forests and environmental technologies by holders of forest rights; v) establish a new forestry institutionality and assign responsibilities to different institutions, among them the Forest Superintendency, the Prefectures and Municipalities. Contact: Project GCP/BOL/028/NET – Support to the National Forest Action Plan of Bolivia 8 a/c Mr. Luis Castello, CTA- La Paz) There are many studies which could be provided by the Project.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Low income, low forest cover countries

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
108	Ali Mekouar/John Dixon	FAO		LEGN
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Mali		Africa		Arid and Semi-Arid areas
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	Low	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Forest and tree vegetation in arid or semi-arid land,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
-1	0		0	1
Summary
In Mali before the pastoral charter of 2001 camel herders and other pastoralists were not permitted to graze camels in 'forest areas' which included areas of desert without actual forest. The law has been changed by enactment of the pastoral charter so that animals can graze in forest areas. However, as forest legislation has not been reformed the foresters still see grazing as being against forest policy. They may also want to uphold the law because it allows them to fine grazers from which they profit. Forest policy may adversely affect pastoralists by denying them the right to graze in forest areas which can become important sources of fodder in drought periods
Policy name or reference
Charte Pastorale du Mali
Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number		Name		Affiliation		Department
109		Dominique Greboval		FAO		FIPP
Country/ies		Area/region		Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Africa, especially Great Lakes Region (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda)				Africa
Income		Forest cover		Policy involved
Low		Low		No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density, also lowland forest in the humid tropics with a high population density and tropical shrubland and tropical dry forest
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	-2		-2		-2
Summary
Deforestation around many lakes in Africa has led to sedimentation and eutrophication resulting in navigation difficulties, changes in ecology and damage/disruption to fisheries.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
110	Jacob Burke	FAO		AGLW
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Lesotho, Swaziland		Africa		Mekong valley, New Zealand
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	Low	Yes
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Highland and mountain forest in a tropical or temperate region, also Tropical tropical dry forest
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water		Natural environment
0	0		2		1
Summary
Pulp projects in Lesotho and the Maputo Basin, Swaziland have resulted in afforestation of watersheds.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.

Number	Name	Affiliation		Department
111	Alain Bonzon	FAO		FIPP
Country/ies	Area/region	Continent		Other countries with similar policies
Mali		Africa
Income	Forest cover	Policy involved
Low	Low	No
Forest/socio-economic classifications
Lowland forest in the humid tropics with a low population density,
Scale of impact (-3 to +3)
Other forest users	Special economic sectors		Soil & water	Natural environment
0	1		0	0
Summary
In lake Selinge Dam in Mali the trees were not cut by the forestry department prior to the lake being flooded. At first this caused problems as fishing nets became entangled in the trees. It has, however, had positive effects on fish productivity of the lake as the trees make good habitats and provide a source of nutrients.
Policy name or reference

Supporting references, web sites, etc.