Beyond Basic Needs: Participation and Village Reforestation in Thailand

Background

At present, many federally-sponsored community reforestation projects engage  communities by hiring local labor to establish plantations with fast-growing tree species. This method ignores the importance of local knowledge and local-level accountability that improves the chances of a project's survival.

Research Goals & Methods

The authors describe a community forestry project started by the Population and Community Development Association in which participatory strategies have been successfully implemented.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Communities should be able to design the plantation and make the management decisions so that the plantation best meets their own needs.