Resources

Bibliography compiled by Lorena Ibargüen Tinley in 2004. A-Z by country and subject:

• Africa
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Certification
• CITES
• Communities
• Concessions
• Corruption
• Deforestation
• Ecuador
• FLEG
• Forest Crimes
• Forest Law
• Forest Law Enforcement
• Forest Policy
• Forests
• Global Witness
• Governance
• Illegal Logging
• Illegal Timber Trade
• Independent Forest Monitoring
• Indonesia
• Kimberley Process
• Law Enforcement
• Monitoring
• Participation
• Philippines
• Trade

Belangue, T., De Rueda, R., Ojerio, A., & Oliva, R. 1993, Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee. Manual of procedures. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Monitoring and Enforcement Component of the Environment and Natural Resources Sectoral Adjustment Loan. Philippines
Abstract: The Manual of Procedure's objective is to describe the functions and responsibilities of the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committees of the Philippines. It defines important processes, formats, types of reports, and other requirements in the committee's mandate. The MFPCs aim to bring forest protection to the grassroots by involving various sectors of the community and are involved in actual forest protection work and in the evaluation of applications for forestry licenses and permits
Keywords: communities/monitoring/natural resources/Philippines/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Bernstein, S. & Cashore, B. 2004, "Non-state global governance: is forest certification a legitimate alternative to a Global Forest Convention?," in Hard choices, soft law: combining trade, environment, and social cohesion in global governance (forthcoming), Ashgate Press, Aldershot.
Abstract: The central argument in this chapter is that as a non-state form of governance, transnational forest certification schemes require political authority beyond the state to succeed. "Authority exists when a community or audience authorizes commands to which it feels bound, empowering those rules and, possibly, mechanisms to enforce them. But in the realm of global governance, especially in cases where "hard law" is absent, legitimacy takes on added importance because, by definition, non-state governance schemes lack traditional enforcement capacities associated with the sovereign state."
Keywords: certification/communities/forest certification/FSC/governance/legitimacy/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Brunner, J., Seyemour, F., Badenoch, N., & Ratner, B. D. 1999, Forest problems and law enforcement in Southeast Asia: the role of local communities
Abstract: In the past, forest legislation has either ignored or barely recognized the customary rights of long- term occupants or indigenous communities. Southeast Asian countries have vested control of the regions forest in the government and their centralized resource management agencies. Nevertheless, there is today undeniable evidence of the States' failure to control deforestation and prevent widespread forest mismanagement by state or private companies. This paper examines the role of local communities in forest law enforcement and highlights the strong evidence that, in partnership with official agencies, communities can prevent and detect forest problems more reliably and at lower cost that the state alone. Nevertheless, building such partnerships implies fundamental changes in the way state authorities perceive and treat those who live in and depend on the forest, as well as significant policy and institutional changes
Keywords: communities/deforestation/forest law/forest law enforcement/law enforcement/Southeast Asia/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Colchester, M., Boscolo, M., Lescuyer, G., Kill, J., Obidzinsky, K., Sembiring, S., Vargas Rios, M. T., & Wells, A. 2003, Forest law enforcement and rural livelihoods: synthesis report. DFID/ PROFOR/ COFPR
Abstract: In many recent international forums and summits (G-8 Summits, United Nations Forum on Forests, Ministerial Meeting in Bali, International Tropical Timber Council meeting, among others) there has been an emphasis on the need for better forest law enforcement, in order to curb forest loss, capture revenues for national governments and improve governance within the sector. There has been, nevertheless, less interest in the evaluation of the impacts of illegal logging and forest law enforcement policies on rural livelihoods. The main objective of this paper is to look into these two crucial issues. The paper is based on six country case studies in: Cameroon, Indonesia, Canada, Honduras, Nicaragua and Bolivia.
The paper starts by looking into the figures of forest dependant communities in the world, and then proceeds on the analysis of the forestry legal framework of each country, pointing out that customary forest access regimes are usually superimposed by national laws. It looks into the political economy of illegal logging; and describes some previous experiences of forest law enforcement. It finishes with a list of various recommendations on law enforcement initiatives that should contribute effectively to poverty alleviation, identify and correct unfair legal frameworks as well as point to effective law enforcement activities. Some of these are:

• Adoption of a rights based approach to forest law enforcement
• Linkage to governance reforms programmes
• Strengthen linkages to civil society for monitoring and awareness building
• Assessments of how forest dependant groups use forests and extent to which laws secure such activities.
• Participation of communities in designing and applying enforcement strategies
• Simplification of bureaucratic, fiscal, management, planning and legislative requirements.
• Transparency

Keywords: Bolivia/Cameroon/Canada/communities/forest law enforcement/governance/Honduras/illegal logging/Indonesia/Nicaragua/rural livelihoods/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Contreras-Hermosilla, A. 2000, The underlying causes of forest decline , Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Abstract: Underlying causes of deforestation and degradation originate in some of the most basic features of society, such as the distribution of economic and political power, attitudes towards corruption, population growth, flaws in the market system, and also in seemingly unrelated government policies. They may originate in other countries and transmit their effects through trade and the operation of transnational corporations
Keywords: communities/corruption/deforestation/illegal timber trade/trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Currey, D., Doherty, F., Lawson, S., Newman, J., Yayat, M. A., Hapsoro Minangsari, M., & Valentinus, A. 2002, Above the law. Corruption, collusion, nepotism and the fate of Indonesia's forests , Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Telapak, Indonesia.
Abstract: This report highlights the problem of illegal logging and issues such as corruption, bribery, fraud and violence. The document concludes that the government of Indonesia has failed to crack down on illegal logging due to endemic corruption in the enforcement and judicial authorities. It points out nevertheless, that there are reformists officials in the Ministry of Forestry that have taken some courageous decisions to stop the problem despite enormous pressure used against him. The report finalizes with recommendations to the government of Indonesia and to the international community, some of which are summarized as follows:

• Immediate suspension and investigation of enforcement officers suspected of aiding and abetting illegal activities
• A national independent forest crimes unit must be formed from selected honest investigators, prosecutors and judges
• The business activities of the military must be made transparent and accountable
• Timber consuming countries must enact new legislation to prevent the import of illegally sourced timber and timber products.
• Financial and technical support must be provided to the government of Indonesia to tackle judicial reform.

Keywords: communities/corruption/forest crimes/illegal logging/Indonesia/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Environmental Investigation Agency & Telapak, I. 2000, Illegal logging in Tanjung Puting National Park. An update on the final cut report
Abstract: This expands on previous report denouncing of illegal logging in National Parks in Indonesia. The document goes on to condemn the failure of the government to fulfil its promises to deal with illegal logging. It informs that illegal logging is on the increase and that around 70% of timber in the country is from illegal sources. It further develops the dangers of deforestation on local communities as well as the threats on biodiversity, specifically the case of the orang-utan, in which case their number have declined so much that their status is being reassessed to hold them under the "critically endangered" species. The report finalizes with recommendations to the government of Indonesia and the international community
Keywords: communities/deforestation/illegal logging/Indonesia/orangutan/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Forest Trends 2000, Strategies to combat illegal logging and forest crime
Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the magnitude of illegal logging, strategies to combat it as well as innovative approaches. The author distinguishes between the different types of illegal logging:

1. commercial-scale logging,
2. small-scale community- level practices and
3. armed conflict situations.

Keywords: communities/illegal logging/strategies for combat of illegal logging/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Forests Monitor 2001, Sold down the river. The need to control transnational forestry corporations: a European case study , Netherlands Committee for IUCN and Map research was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
Abstract: This report examines the role of the European Union (EU) in the management of forest resources in six countries in Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. One of the reports objectives is to effectively assess the benefits of the international timber trade on local communities. It looks into each country case to analyze the role of transnational corporations, of multilateral and bilateral creditors and national governments, in view of the expansion of forest commercial exploitation. Some of the aspects reviewed are the capacity of these African national governments to enforce forestry legislation, the timber industry's response to weak enforcement and the lack of transparency and democracy. The report concludes that private companies are logging illegally on a significant scale and national governments are using logging concessions to develop and maintain their various patronage networks. In this context, local communities are becoming more marginalised, their rights being undermined and livelihood opportunities threatened. This report is third in a series which focuses on the social, environmental, economic and political impacts of transnational corporations (TNC's) on forests and forest peoples
Keywords: Africa/Cameroon/communities/concessions/forests/trade/transnational corporations/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 1997, Just deserts for Cambodia? Deforestation and the Co-Prime Ministers' legacy to the country
Abstract: This document is a review of the developments in the forestry sector in Cambodia over the previous year. The report gives evidence in relation to the hard work of many individuals and agencies within the Royal Government of Cambodia and the international community, that have resulted in significant improvements in forest policy reform, but that the forests continued to be destroyed with the sanction of the co-Prime Ministers and the power of the armed forces
Keywords: Cambodia/communities/deforestation/forest policy/forestry reform/forests/timber trade/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Global Witness 2002, Reform of the forest crime monitoring and reporting project
Abstract: This document outlines in brief the fundamental problems with the Forest Crimes Monitoring and Reporting Project (FCMRP) and potential ways forward. This includes a series of recommendations that could make the project function from the perspective of continued involvement of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DFW) or if that is not workable, what can be done in the absence of future DFW participation
Keywords: Cambodia/communities/forest crimes/independent forest monitoring/monitoring/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Oliva, R. 2004, Sustainable forest management through multisectoral forest protection committees: Philippine experience
Abstract: The creation of Multisectoral Forest Protection Committees (MFPCs) aims to bring forest protection to the grassroots by involving various sectors of the community. It is based on the thesis that for forest management to be effective it must be anchored on total community involvement. MFPCsl provide the forum where sectors from the communities and government agencies combine to take action together on forest protection issues. Through the MFPC's, communities are directly involved in forest protection from barangay to national level. This short text gives a general overview of the Multisectoral Forest Protection Committee Program in Indonesia, including legislation and norms that support Community Based Forest Management Programs, as well as the committees main functions and responsibilities
Keywords: communities/forest monitoring/Indonesia/participation/Philippines/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Secretariat of the Forest Integrity Network, Landell-Mills, P., Spears, J., & Gupta, A. 2002, Progress toward containment of forest corruption and improved forest governance. An information note prepared for Transparency International's Annual General Meeting
Abstract: This document summarizes some of the initiatives taken recently by various stakeholder groups to combat forest corruption and foster improved forest law enforcement. It recognizes that the containment of forest related corruption can only be done with the participation of various stakeholders including local communities, NGO's, private sector, governments and development agencies and proceeds to give brief descriptions and examples.

• Local communities: community action in India, Mexico and Tanzania.
• NGO's: work done by Global Witness, the Nature Conservancy, Forest Trends and Global Forest Watch.
• Private Industry: Council for Forest and Paper Associations, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
• Governments: Albania, Cambodia, Ecuador, Indonesia, FLEG in Africa and Asia, and the European Commission's Action Plan.
• Multilateral Banks and Development Agencies: World Bank, FAO, the International Tropical Timber Organization

The document concludes with TI's and FIN's steps to build coalitions to fight forest corruption by:

1. building up and publicizing data and information on the issue
2. promoting action plans that include ideas such as: community forestry, integrity pacts for forest concessions, review of laws and policies, certification, citizen-watch activities etc.

Keywords: Africa/Asia/Cambodia/certification/ communities/concessions/corruption/Ecuador/ FLEG/forest law/forest law enforcement/governance/Indonesia/law enforcement/NGO's/participation/ Transparency International /Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Tacconi, L., Boscolo, M., & Brack, D. 2003, National and international policies to control illegal forest activities. A report prepared for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan
Abstract: Illegal forest activities pose a significant threat to the sustainability of forest ecosystems, result in losses of government revenues, foster a vicious cycle of bad governance, and may contribute to increased poverty and social conflict. As such, they have received considerable attention from the international community in recent years. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the range of national and international policy options available to reduce illegal forest activities by:

1. reviewing what is known regarding the nature and extent of the problem,
2. identifying possible policy responses applicable by producer countries, by consumer countries, or via international initiatives, and
3. suggesting possible principles and criteria for further evaluation and selection of policy options.

The document outlines principles and criteria to aid the development of appropriate policy options to reduce illegal forest activities.
Principles:

• Reform efforts should proceed with input from all the important stakeholders
• Property rights of forest must be clarified and resolved
• Streamline the policy and regulatory framework
• Divest certain functions to the private sector, NGO's, civil society and local governments
• Promote integration and coordination with other sectors and with other players, both national and international.

Keywords: CITES/communities/governance/illegal logging/international agreements/Kimberley Process/NGO's/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140

Van Dam, C. 2002, La economía de la certificación forestal: ¿desarrollo sostenible para quien? Ponencia a ser presentada al Congreso Iberoamericano de Desarrollo y Medio Ambiente "Desafíos locales ante la globalización", 8 y 9 de noviembre de 2002 - FLACSO-Quito, Ecuador
Abstract: The document does a critique of forest certification as a market mechanism that has searched for answers to the forest problems in Latin America. The author reviews the growth of certification in the world in the last 10 years, comparing the experiences form countries in the South and Northern hemisphere. Some of the issues dealt with are:

• The unequal economic benefits form certification.
• The costs of certification and the dissociation between these and the beneficiaries.
• Certification standards. Should they be the same for all?
• Certification in natural forests vs. plantations
• Certification in the context of community and indigenous management of forest resources.
• The role of northern environmental NGO's in Forest certification issues
  (document available in Spanish)

Keywords: certification/communities/Ecuador/forest certification/forests/Latin America/NGO's/Verifor Bibliography /Project - SO140