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Why is There No Tragedy in These Commons? An Analysis of Forest User Groups and Forest Policy in Bhutan

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  • Bill Buffum

    (Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, USA)

Abstract

Governments around the world are increasingly devolving authority for forest management to the local level in an attempt to strengthen the management of national forests. Community forestry programs are recognized as providing a range of economic and social benefits and having a positive impact on increasing forest cover. However, concerns have been raised about the capability of user groups to manage community forests in a sustainable and equitable manner. This study analyzed the initial experience with community forestry in Bhutan and assessed the degree to which national policies have enhanced the likelihood of successful management by forestry user groups. The study found that the studied communities possess many attributes of successful forest user groups due to historical and socio-cultural reasons. National policies, including the unusual provision of handing over well-stocked forests to user groups, have further enhanced the likelihood of sustainable management by forest user groups. The initial experience of forest management by user groups in Bhutan is promising, and merits further study now that that a much larger number of community forests (CFs) have experience with harvesting.

Suggested Citation

  • Bill Buffum, 2012. "Why is There No Tragedy in These Commons? An Analysis of Forest User Groups and Forest Policy in Bhutan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(7), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:4:y:2012:i:7:p:1448-1465:d:18708
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Tshewang Dorji & Justin D. Brookes & José M. Facelli & Robin R. Sears & Tshewang Norbu & Kuenzang Dorji & Yog Raj Chhetri & Himlal Baral, 2019. "Socio-Cultural Values of Ecosystem Services from Oak Forests in the Eastern Himalaya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Friedman, Rachel S. & Guerrero, Angela M. & McAllister, Ryan R.J. & Rhodes, Jonathan R. & Santika, Truly & Budiharta, Sugeng & Indrawan, Tito & Hutabarat, Joseph A. & Kusworo, Ahmad & Yogaswara, Herry, 2020. "Beyond the community in participatory forest management: A governance network perspective," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    4. Moktan, Mani Ram & Norbu, Lungten & Choden, Kunzang, 2016. "Can community forestry contribute to household income and sustainable forestry practices in rural area? A case study from Tshapey and Zariphensum in Bhutan," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 149-157.

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