Forest management policies and programs work well if the people have the knowledge and are empowered with regards to this matter. In view of sustainability, the government and private sector interventions have 2 effects. The first is that it can enhance forest management policies and social protection programs. The second, effect would be that it can worsen the poverty conditions of people if no ethical support is received from the actors that have a role to play in advocating forest management policies and programs.
One of the major sources of vulnerability for forest dependent people is when political interests of the actors such as government, private sectors company prevail even if it is in contrary with the forest management policies and programs. The Government and the private commercial companies too have a major responsibility. Corruption in some developing countries is a factor in the vulnerability of the forest dependent people, among the most marginalized sectors of society - the indigenous and the farmers. For example, In one of the places here in the Philippines , Just this January of 2015, one of the government agencies has lifted the ban on a private company that is mining now in one of the places known to be an indigenous land. The lack of education of the indigenous makes them vulnerable to this kind of political matter. With their poverty situation today, they can be vulnerable to manipulation in exchange for money as a source of income. Since the people are relocated, their livelihood is also affected and there is no guarantee that their livelihoods will become sustainable.
Another is that not far from the place, there are more than 600 farmers who practice organic agriculture. The growing of organic plants require an adequate amount of sunlight and water. If the organic plant gets too much sunlight, chances are they get poor yields from the plant. Cutting down of trees for mining, will make the place hotter. With a hot climate ,surely the livelihoods of more than 600 organic farmers are affected and may have worse effects for them and this has a negative impact on the local as well as for the national economy since they export the organic fruit.
The Philippines is vulnerable to climate change and we have forestry policies and social protection programs but the problem comes down to its implementation. In other places, it has worked well, while in other places it has not worked at all. Moreover, this implies that the implementation of forest policies and social protection programs should also educate people, empower them as to how they can best manage their own communities and promote sustainable livelihoods in the area. I believe if there are government or private sector interventions, there should be proper accountability and transparency. Governance is one of the factors contributing to the success of the implementation of forest policies and social protection programs. In addition, the Government and private sectors would work best in the communities if there is proper communication, that both the government and private sector would also take time to understand the cascading effects of their actions when implementing forest policies and social protection programs. Lastly, the governments need to listen to the feedbacks of the local residents in the area with regards to the forest policies and social protection programs.
Forest management policies and programs work well if the people have the knowledge and are empowered with regards to this matter. In view of sustainability, the government and private sector interventions have 2 effects. The first is that it can enhance forest management policies and social protection programs. The second, effect would be that it can worsen the poverty conditions of people if no ethical support is received from the actors that have a role to play in advocating forest management policies and programs.
One of the major sources of vulnerability for forest dependent people is when political interests of the actors such as government, private sectors company prevail even if it is in contrary with the forest management policies and programs. The Government and the private commercial companies too have a major responsibility. Corruption in some developing countries is a factor in the vulnerability of the forest dependent people, among the most marginalized sectors of society - the indigenous and the farmers. For example, In one of the places here in the Philippines , Just this January of 2015, one of the government agencies has lifted the ban on a private company that is mining now in one of the places known to be an indigenous land. The lack of education of the indigenous makes them vulnerable to this kind of political matter. With their poverty situation today, they can be vulnerable to manipulation in exchange for money as a source of income. Since the people are relocated, their livelihood is also affected and there is no guarantee that their livelihoods will become sustainable.
Another is that not far from the place, there are more than 600 farmers who practice organic agriculture. The growing of organic plants require an adequate amount of sunlight and water. If the organic plant gets too much sunlight, chances are they get poor yields from the plant. Cutting down of trees for mining, will make the place hotter. With a hot climate ,surely the livelihoods of more than 600 organic farmers are affected and may have worse effects for them and this has a negative impact on the local as well as for the national economy since they export the organic fruit.
The Philippines is vulnerable to climate change and we have forestry policies and social protection programs but the problem comes down to its implementation. In other places, it has worked well, while in other places it has not worked at all. Moreover, this implies that the implementation of forest policies and social protection programs should also educate people, empower them as to how they can best manage their own communities and promote sustainable livelihoods in the area. I believe if there are government or private sector interventions, there should be proper accountability and transparency. Governance is one of the factors contributing to the success of the implementation of forest policies and social protection programs. In addition, the Government and private sectors would work best in the communities if there is proper communication, that both the government and private sector would also take time to understand the cascading effects of their actions when implementing forest policies and social protection programs. Lastly, the governments need to listen to the feedbacks of the local residents in the area with regards to the forest policies and social protection programs.