Understanding the Dynamics of Forestland Governance in Africa
In the recent book Power Dynamics in African Forests: The Politics of Global Sustainability, authors Symphorien Ongolo and Max Krott explore the historical and current challenges of forestland governance in Africa, emphasizing the power dynamics between actors involved in resource exploitation and biodiversity conservation policies. It investigates the intersection of global sustainability agendas with domestic politics in Africa, revealing how actors in forest-rich countries employ complex informal strategies to resist the dominance of powerful global environmental players.
Tahina Roland, a young Malagasy agronomist and GLF 2023 Drylands Restoration Steward is the author of chapter 9 titled Linking Institutional Weaknesses to Deforestation Drivers in the Governance of Protected Areas in Madagascar.
In his article, Tahina investigates the persistence of deforestation in Menabe-Antimena, one of Madagascar’s significant protected areas (PAs). While the expansion of PA networks is a key focus of conservation efforts, effective management is crucial for biodiversity preservation. Using the Institutional Analysis and Development framework, the study reveals that inadequate funding for PA managers, insufficient alternatives for farmers, and a focus on enforcing laws against farmers rather than private sector operators contribute to deforestation for cash crop cultivation. The PA’s limited integration into regional economic and governance priorities further hampers conservation efforts, making shifting cultivation an attractive option for local communities, while regional authorities struggle to protect the area from the cash crop industry driving deforestation.
