Forest Protection, Conservation and Management: Integration or Segregation?

Abstract

"The desire to protect, conserve and utilize life-supporting resources is a deeply rooted primordial, pre-forestry human trait. Consequently, forestry originated as integrated multi-resource social forestry responding to diverse human needs. Rising European mercantilism and proto-capitalism introduced concepts of maximizing single functions to increase production, profits and shareholders' values. The dichotomy between traditionally integrated and new-world segregated forestry in teaching, science and practice deepened. The public and political environments were affected by confusion and traditional forestry by the consequently blooming ideologies, romantic myths, sectarian dogmas and wishful illusions. Political correctness replaced common sense and good science with predominantly negative effects on forests and forestry. It became fashionable to deny that adequate practical experience and scientific knowledge are available for a dynamic, integrated and sustained multiple-resource, multiple-purpose forestry with surrounding activities. The Sabal-Simunjam case in Sarawak shows that this combination and integration are practicable and can be successful, but disturbing causal factors outside forestry will cause failure if they are powerful. Major obstacles to maintaining or restoring sustainable integrated forestry as part of general land use and development are the state of the global economy, the dismally low and declining standards of politics, governance and education, and the underlying corrosion of ethics and morals."