Moving beyond forestry laws through collective learning and action in Sahelian countries

摘要

Many commentators observe that indigenous tree species in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) provide critical ecosystem services, including inter alia food and nutritional security (Saka et al. 2002, 2004; Akinnifesi et al. 2004), and forage. The degree of significance differs across SSA depending on abundance of indigenous trees, governance and availability of alternative livelihood systems. Provision of critical ecosystem services including fruits, nuts and medicinal herbs are dependent on existing tenure arrangements (Yatich et al. 2012; Barrow et al. 2016). Akinnifesi et al. (2006) synthesize the crucial role that indigenous tree species play in rural livelihoods indicating that wild fruit trees represent about 20% of total woodland resource use by ruralhouseholds in Zimbabwe, while in South Africa 94% of households use Sclerocarya birrea fruits for making beer, jam and juice. In the Sahelian region, indigenous tree species also play an important role in rural livelihoods (Yatich et al. 2012). Given thedegradation of natural ecosystems and the likelihood of disappearance of indigenous tree species, Sahelian Governments have adopted different forestry codes that have fuelled conflicts between resource users and policy-makers. Resource users evoke customary laws which contrast state land and tree tenure.