FAO.org

Negative and positive drivers affecting forests in the GMS co-exist. Negative drivers result in deforestation and forest degradation, and positive drivers promote sustainable forest management (SFM), forest conservation, afforestation and reforestation. Negative drivers are still more dominant than positive ones. Nevertheless, growing signs of positive drivers are starting to emerge in the GMS countries. Policy makers, forest managers and practitioners need to be aware of these drivers and find ways to enhance the positive ones, while reducing the negative ones. In order to promote SFM and address deforestation and forest degradation, the GMS countries need to foster integrated land-use planning and management at all levels. At the same time, efforts to improve governance, build political consensus, and promote integrated research and capacity building need to be strengthened. As the GMS countries are becoming more integrated, and the flow of forest products and services among them is increasing, there is a need to enhance regional cooperation through existing mechanisms. Addressing deforestation and forest degradation should not be seen as a country-specific task, constrained within individual national boundaries, given that drivers affect forest change across national borders.