The Potential of Bamboo is Constrained by Outmoded Policy Frames

摘要

There is a disjunction between modern international forestry policy and the needs of many people in developing countries. Recent international forest policy has focused on the implications of tropical deforestation for climate change, biodiversity loss and livelihoods. In particular the efficacy of the REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism has dominated international discourse. However, a key emerging issue for many developing nations is continued supply of timber and pulp resources in the face of increasing demand. Bamboo presents a promising alternative to products produced by silvicultural forestry (Hunter 2002). Currently, international policy focuses on forests as treed lands thereby marginalising bamboo forestry development. This year is the International Year of Forests. In this synopsis we argue that policy makers should take this opportunity to encourage a policy process that will accord bamboo equal status to silviculture in future international forest regimes.