Forest tenure in Africa and south and southeast Asia: Implications for sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation

Based on recent studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on forest tenure systems in Asia and Africa, the paper presents an overview of the present situation, characterized by the predominance of public forests under the direct control and management of governments. The paper reviews the achievements of various forest tenure systems in relation to sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation, with a particular focus on locally based forest management. The importance of security of tenure and the need to diversify current tenure systems are identified as fundamental to achieving sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation. The paper also highlights the benefits of a phased approach to forest tenure reform and the elements needed for the establishment of an enabling and secure forest tenure system.