Forest Property Rights

In the past 100 years forest property regimeschanged from the one to the other, each timealienating communities&generating conflicts. TheState s liberal distribution of natural forests(1940-60) created individual forest property regimesover large area. The State, however, failed toregulate utilization, ensuing widespreaddeforestation. The 1975 nationalization act&thesubsequent policies further alienated users. Atpresent conflicts over forest has become a definingfactor of the relations between and among forestusers. The creation&upholding of propertyinstitutions have always been the primary task ofthe State. Where the latter failed forest depletionoccurred, something that still happens today. InEthiopia the future of forestry&stable propertyrights regimes are closely interwoven. However, weneed to avoid imposing a national blue print ofproperty regimes for all forests. It is important tolook into each forest differently because of diverseeconomic needs, cultural variations&environmentalpriorities

Autorentext
Melaku Bekele is affiliated to Wondo Genet College, HU,Ethiopia. He lectures on natural resources policy,PNRM,&Gender. His research interest includes: forest policy,property rights, and JFM. Presently he is studding JFM practicesunder thetitle: Freedom from Conflict? JFMPractice in Chilimo and Bonga Forests, Ethiopia.

Klappentext
In the past 100 years forest property regimes changed from the one to the other, each time alienating communities & generating conflicts. The State's liberal distribution of natural forests (1940-60) created individual forest property regimes over large area. The State, however, failed to regulate utilization, ensuing widespread deforestation. The 1975 nationalization act & the subsequent policies further alienated users. At present conflicts over forest has become a defining factor of the relations between and among forest users. The creation & upholding of property institutions have always been the primary task of the State. Where the latter failed forest depletion occurred, something that still happens today. In Ethiopia the future of forestry & stable property rights regimes are closely interwoven. However, we need to avoid imposing a national blue print of property regimes for all forests. It is important to look into each forest differently because of diverse economic needs, cultural variations & environmental priorities