Management of forest environments and sustaining forest-dependent communities: Options for dryland Africa based on experiences from Sudan Edinam K. Glover Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, Finland

Outline 1. Introduction 2. Existing Experiences in Partnership 3. Conclusions 4. Recommendations

Introduction Large-scale degradation has occurred in the Sudan as a result of past unsuccessful land use policies and practices. Forest management was earlier (since 1932) based on a policy that restricts the access of local communities to the forests except within special permits. Figure 1. Bare soil enhances erosion. Photo by Eddie Glover.

Introduction contd. People therefore had to illegally enter the forests for farming, wood collection (Figure 2), grazing and charcoal burning (Figure 3) Figure 2. Provision of fuelwood is a woman‘s task. Photo by Eddie Glover.

Introduction contd. Fig. 3. Fulfillment of fuelwood and fodder needs leads to forest degradation if not properly planned. Photo by Eddie Glover

Status of forest resources in the Sudan FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) (FAO 2001), the total forest cover of Sudan is estimated as 61,630,000 ha FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) (FAO 2001), the total forest cover of Sudan is estimated as 61,630,000 ha constitutes 26 percent of the country’s land area of 237,600,000 ha. constitutes 26 percent of the country’s land area of 237,600,000 ha. The forest cover area in the Sudan decreased from 71,220,000 ha in 1990 to 61,630,000 ha in 2000, a decrease of 959,000 ha/year; 90% of which is for fuel and charcoal making (ADB/EC/FAO The forest cover area in the Sudan decreased from 71,220,000 ha in 1990 to 61,630,000 ha in 2000, a decrease of 959,000 ha/year; 90% of which is for fuel and charcoal making (ADB/EC/FAO The annual rate of forest cover change in the Sudan is -1.4%. The annual rate of forest cover change in the Sudan is -1.4%.

Government institutions, Government institutions, Local community organizations Local community organizations NGOs NGOs at local and national levels, try to ameliorate this situation through a range of partnerships. at local and national levels, try to ameliorate this situation through a range of partnerships.

Existing experiences in partnership Elrawashda Model I and and Elrawashda Model II

Location Figure 4. Map of Sudan (Glover 2005)

(a) Elrawashda Model I Tree establishment was carried out by different methods (Taungya system) including local people, but protection was executed by the forest guards and officers Tree establishment was carried out by different methods (Taungya system) including local people, but protection was executed by the forest guards and officers

Table 1. Survival and stocking densities of the established forestry crop protected by forestry authorities in Elrawashda forest reserve; from inventory data of FNC during (FNC 1999). Block Area (ha) Inventory in 1st yr (1988) after establishment Inventory in 2nd yr (1989) after establishment MeasuredStock(trees/ha)Stocking(%) of fullsto ck Measured stock (tree/ha) Stockin g (%)Remarks 185NoneNoneNoneNone Completely destroyed by grazing No survival None None 30 Very dense Over stocke d Effect of grazing 25 Very dense Over stocke d 80432

Elrawashda Model contd. Inventories by FNC showed a failure in the management system caused by lack of local people´s participation.

(b) Elrawashda Model II Selected blocks of degraded parts allocated for integrated land use involving a rehabilitation process on a participatory approach. Selected blocks of degraded parts allocated for integrated land use involving a rehabilitation process on a participatory approach. Partnership between FNC/Agricultural Development Project for the Eastern Sudan (ADES) project and the local people in planting, protecting and getting mutual benefits from forest reserves. Partnership between FNC/Agricultural Development Project for the Eastern Sudan (ADES) project and the local people in planting, protecting and getting mutual benefits from forest reserves.

75% of land is allocated for crop cultivation and on 25% the farmer grows trees and is obliged to protect the young regeneration 75% of land is allocated for crop cultivation and on 25% the farmer grows trees and is obliged to protect the young regeneration During four years the farmer gets additional land and continues growing trees on 25% of his land During four years the farmer gets additional land and continues growing trees on 25% of his land Tree rotation is 20 years (Acacia seyal) Tree rotation is 20 years (Acacia seyal)

Table 2. Regeneration, survival and stocking densities of forestry crop established and protected by farmers and forestry authorities in Elrawashda forest reserve (from data collected by Elsiddig 1999). Bloc k No. Age (year s) Area(ha) Full stock (trees/h a) Survival Stock density (%) A ,9772, B ,9772, C ,9772, D ,9772, E ,9772,

Two criteria indicate the success and efficiency of the collaborative system (i.e.Elrawashda model II) compared to the formal centralized forest management system (i.e. Elrawashda model I)

Elrawashda model II contd. Joint activities between farmers and forest authorityJoint activities between farmers and forest authority Successful establishment and development of well-stocked and efficiency protected forest crop for five age groupsSuccessful establishment and development of well-stocked and efficiency protected forest crop for five age groups

Farmers also accept to pay 10 to Farmers also accept to pay 10 to 20% of the grain yield to forest authorities Government secures the land and crop and tree seeds to farmers Government secures the land and crop and tree seeds to farmers

Lessons In Elrawashda model II, collaborative - based forest reserve management constitutes the basis for natural forest rehabilitation and sustainable development In Elrawashda model II, collaborative - based forest reserve management constitutes the basis for natural forest rehabilitation and sustainable development The impact of extension and awareness raising on forest rehabilitation is clearly noticeable at Elrawashda model II The impact of extension and awareness raising on forest rehabilitation is clearly noticeable at Elrawashda model II

Opportunities Elrawasda model II provides a good opportunity for system transfer to other natural forest reserves Elrawasda model II provides a good opportunity for system transfer to other natural forest reserves

CriteriaIndicators Elrawashda: Increase in forest cover based on people’s involvement 30 farmers in farmers in 1998 A good stocked forest cover of 76%-91%

Conclusions Elrawashda model I: Elrawashda model I: Reservation policy adopted by government to manage the resource for the benefit of the people of Elrawashda was no longer effectiveReservation policy adopted by government to manage the resource for the benefit of the people of Elrawashda was no longer effective Extension was completely lackingExtension was completely lacking Prevention policy had a negative impact on the forest resource manifested in a continuous deterioration of the forest reserve and loss of benefitsPrevention policy had a negative impact on the forest resource manifested in a continuous deterioration of the forest reserve and loss of benefits

Partnership-based forest management in Elrawashda represents a progressive shift towards state recognition of the interdependence between the well-being of forests and the well-being of local people for subsistence and livelihood needs Partnership-based forest management in Elrawashda represents a progressive shift towards state recognition of the interdependence between the well-being of forests and the well-being of local people for subsistence and livelihood needs Elrawashda is a rehabilitation success story in which people and the FNC have mutual benefits; the result is rehabilitation of the forest and provision of people's needs Elrawashda is a rehabilitation success story in which people and the FNC have mutual benefits; the result is rehabilitation of the forest and provision of people's needs

Elrawashda model I shows a success story of community-based natural forest management Elrawashda model I shows a success story of community-based natural forest management Partnership between FNC and the local people facilitates efficient management of natural forests Partnership between FNC and the local people facilitates efficient management of natural forests It also enhances forest protection against illegal felling and thus may arrest forest degradation It also enhances forest protection against illegal felling and thus may arrest forest degradation

Elrawashda model II contd.: The system gains local people´s confidence and this is reflected in good forest performance The system gains local people´s confidence and this is reflected in good forest performance Rehabilitation experience stimulates policy change towards involving the traditional leadership and the forest- dependent villagers in protection and conservation Rehabilitation experience stimulates policy change towards involving the traditional leadership and the forest- dependent villagers in protection and conservation

Recommendations Management experience gained need to be documented and transferred to other natural forest reserves Management experience gained need to be documented and transferred to other natural forest reserves Information on species densities, composition and structure is necessary for better management plans and rational use of the forest resource Information on species densities, composition and structure is necessary for better management plans and rational use of the forest resource Strong extension systems are needed to enhance local participation in managing natural forest reserves Strong extension systems are needed to enhance local participation in managing natural forest reserves

To take this concept to other new areas is more a matter of dedication, hard work and serious commitment than simply funding, as the approach is relatively easy to understand To take this concept to other new areas is more a matter of dedication, hard work and serious commitment than simply funding, as the approach is relatively easy to understand However, there are no two identical rural communities, and working with local communities is not always easy, something which calls for active technical assistance by experienced facilitators to keep this process of change on track However, there are no two identical rural communities, and working with local communities is not always easy, something which calls for active technical assistance by experienced facilitators to keep this process of change on track

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