From supervising 'subjects' to supporting 'citizens': Recent developments in community forestry in Asia and Africa

Abstract

Major investments have been made in recent decades in the development of community forestry. Drawing on two contrasting cases - Nepal and Cameroon - this paper argues that policy development has involved many unknowns, necessitating a learning process orientation and considerable flexibility. This involves substantial cost, but the benefits may be significant, as regards both rural livelihoods and the proper husbandry of hitherto under-managed resources