Cette etude a ete realisee en 1997-98 par le CIFOR en collaboration avec les institutions et les chercheurs camerounais, grace a l'appui financier du DFID du Royaume-Uni. Son objectif general est de compendre les causes qui expliqueraient le taux de deforestation beaucoup plus elevependantla crise economique (qui commenca en 1986) par rapport a ala periode avant le debut de la crise. Le project de recherche a examine les effects de la crise sur les migrations, les systemes de cultures, la division sexuelle du travail et leur incidence sur le couvert forestier.

Forest governance is now recognized as a critical factor for effective resource management and enhancing livelihood outcomes. This paper recognizes the need for having learning element in the governing process, for which there has to be a continuous monitoring process in place. Based on recent studies, the current monitoring system at different layers in Nepal's community forestry is reviewed, and opportunities for improved micro-macro linkages and forest governance are identified.

The author highlights conceptual, substantive and methodological aspects of participatory action research (PAR) into adaptive collaborative management (ACM) of community forest in some selected FUGs in the Hills of Nepal. Three main concepts of ACM identified as the core of research include: collaboration among stakeholders, conscious social learning and application of learning feedback to management. Ten specific elements have been recently innovated around the three broad areas of ACM, and the research team uses them as a basis to assess and facilitate action research at local level.

Community forestry in the Philippines has gone through a long process of change over the last thirty years. It reached a high level of achievement with the creation of a comprehensive and integrated programme called Community-Based Forest Management (CGFM) in 1995. In this programme, local people are recognised as partners in the management and protection of the country's forests and forest resorces. However, the government, and other local stakeholders still face problems in implementing the programme effectivelly.

Le Cameroun a adopté une nouvelle loi des forêt en 1994 qui mettait l’accent sur le secteur forestier industriel, à grande échelle, et orienté vers l’exportation, tout en négligeant le bois produit avec des opérations d’échelle plus petite, pour le marché intérieur. Ce bois n’est pas enregistrée dans les statistiques officielles et il est principalement produit sans titre valide d’exploitation.

This study analyses seven factors used to explain the conversion of forest to pasture in Central America between 1979 and 1994: 1) favourable markets for livestock products; 2) subsidised credit and road construction; 3) land-tenure policies; 4) limited technological change in livestock production; 5) policies which reduce timber values; 6) reduced levels of political violence; and 7) characteristics specific to cattle which make conversion attractive. Deforestation rates in Central America declined in the 1980s, but remained high.