A path through the woods: 15 years of Community Forest Management in Mexico Article

Bray, D. (2007). A path through the woods: 15 years of Community Forest Management in Mexico . 28(1), 40-47.

cited authors

  • Bray, D

authors

abstract

  • Most forests in developing countries like Mexico are owned by government meaning, forest communities do not have legal rights to products from forests they have inhabited for years. They are entirely shut out or confined to scavenging for low value, non-timber products and are in constant battle with the authorities. This will result to deforestation, poverty and social conflict. It is usually held that local communities do not have the ability to manage forests. But in Mexico, a large percentage of forested territory was given to communities as an attachment to agricultural lands. Community forestry in Mexico showed that despite poverty and low educational levels, residents could learn to produce and market timber, generate income, and most importantly, stop deforestation. Latest strategies and research are underway that would offer enough incentive to keep people from clearing forests to graze cattle.

publication date

  • July 13, 2007

start page

  • 40

end page

  • 47

volume

  • 28

issue

  • 1