IV. Roles of Foresters
The roles of foresters have changed substantially in SE Asian over the 10-year period. All countries reported a shift from `traditional forestry' towards social/community forestry, environmental conservation, etc. The human aspect of forestry is becoming important. Foresters are now expected to be able to deal with forestry, agroforestry as well as environmental issues using multi-disciplinary and participatory approaches. Other new directions in forestry education include economics, entrepreneurship, wood technology (Thailand), ecotourism, etc.
The national studies reported that these needs have been incorporated in curricula, both through the offering of new programmes, by offering new courses, or by revising existing courses.
The countries reported the following change of forestry staffs' roles (table 10):
Table 10. Changes in the role of foresters, by country
Country |
Changes in the role of foresters |
Indonesia |
From forestry conglomerates to community based forest management. Foresters must understand social and environmental problems, including local culture From forest exploitation to forest conservation. Economics and entrepreneurship, leadership and communication skills, and a good understanding of the code of ethics of forestry Globalization, decentralization and devolution and national reform |
Laos |
From logging to sustainable management and biodiversity conservation From `forester' to `developer or extensionist' in tree plantation, forest rehabilitation and wildlife conservation Ecotourism and NTFP management Environmental impact assessment |
Malaysia |
Towards plantations Towards agroforestry |
Philippines |
From foresters to environmentalists; from specialists to generalists From traditional foresters to sustainable forest management specialists Research and development orientation Conservationist, biodiversity, natural resource experts Entrepreneurship Agroforestry Extension, community/upland development/ rural planners |
Thailand |
Multiple uses of forests, and know-how about how to combine with agricultural components in forest areas Awareness about the human dimension in the management of natural resources and National Parks Multi-disciplinary approaches is a new trend Ecotourism Foresters in wood industrial sector need more knowledge about wood technology |
Vietnam |
Facilitators, extensionists and work with rural communities Multiple roles of foresters From forestry sector to conservation and biodiversity |
