Browsing by Author "Njuguna, Jane"

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Decentalizing Institutions for Forest Conservation in Kenya: Comparative Analysis of Resource Conservation Outcomes Under National Park and Forest Reserve Regimes in the Mt. Elgon Forest Ecosystem
(2000) Mwangi, Esther; Ongugo, Paul; Njuguna, Jane
"This study views decentralization of forest management as a continuum in which property rights to forest resources are transferred away from central governments or forest departments to local communities (Agrawal and Ostrom, 1999). We compare the rights user groups have to forest resources in the Mt. Elgon National Park with those of users in the Mt. Elgon Forest Reserve, and the incentives that each type of rights engenders towards forest resource conservation. We find that in the Forest Reserve, which in our construction represents a decentralized management, local community involvement in decision-making and in rule crafting and enforcement resulted in positive incentives for forest conservation. Forest condition in the Forest Reserve was found to be better than in the National Park. The National Park's policy of forbidding local consumptive use of resources and excluding local populations from making resource-related decisions, engendered animosity and considerable conflicts with the local populations. This created disincentives to local communities that are reflected in the condition of the forest. Decentralized decision-making, in this case, appears to be associated with better forest conservation outcomes."
Effects of Decentralization Policies on Forest Management: Experience from Seven Forests in Kenya
(2004) Ongugo, Paul; Njuguna, Jane
"This paper presents interim results from data collected from 6 sites in 6 forests where [environmental self-help groups and forestry] associations have been formed. The results give analysis of the rationale for the formation of forest associations their objectives, activities and achievements as well as obstacles in their management. The formation of associations by the forest adjacent communities is their response to the effects of decentralisation in the Kenyan forestry sector. The range of activities in which the communities are involved through their associations show that decentralisation efforts have the potential to improve the condition of Kenyas forests and woodlands. This will be assured when the forest adjacent communities are involved in the management of the forests and woodlands in order to supplement the efforts of the Forest Department. The parameters assessed are the estimated amounts of extractions levels in the seven forests between 2000 and 2002. These are Loitokitok, Kedowa, Upper Imenti, Thimlich, Aberdares, Got Ramogi and Tugen Hills. Results from the study show a general decrease in the availability of major forest products. This was the main reason why those communities who live adjacent to the six forests formed associations through which they could bargain for better management of the forests. "Even though the forests are located in different agro- ecological zones, the forest adjacent communities experienced similar problems, responded in similar ways and with similar objectives to address the identified problems."