Papers

CHAPTER: 3

Conceptual establishment of sustainable forest management practice

3.1. Emergence of a new resource management paradigm:

The concept of SFM is not new. As far back as the 15th century the notion of managing sustainable forest existed in Europe (Wiersum, 1995). The concept of well managed forests has been invented by mankind and is therefore bound to be adapted to the ideas and needs of society at any particular time.

A definition sustainable forestry was developed by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE), which coined sustainable forestry, and has been adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It defines sustainable forest management as:

‘the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfill, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems.’

According to ITTO, “Sustainable Forest Management is the process of managing permanent forest land to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives of management with regard to the production of a continuous flow of desired forest products and services without undue reduction of its inherent values and future productivity and without undue undesirable effects on the physical and social environment.”

Sustainable forest management is the process of managing forest in a sustained basis. That means that managing forest resources in a manner that both the present and the future generation would get the equal benefit from the forest. Modern sustainable forest management (SFM) has, therefore, evolved from basic timber supply to more integrated land-use planning with social, economic, and ecological dimensions. A range of forestry institutions now practice various forms of sustainable forest management and a broad range of methods and tools are available that have been tested over time.

In simpler terms, the concept can be described as the attainment of balance between society’s increasing demands for forest products and benefits, and the preservation of forest health and diversity. This balance is critical to the survival of forests, and to the prosperity of forest-dependent communities.

Sustainable forest management is considered as one of the most important contributions which the forestry sector can make to the sustainable development objectives of any nation, particularly those richly endowed with forest.

For forest managers, sustainably managing a particular forest tract means determining, in a tangible way, how to use it today to ensure similar benefits, health and productivity in the future. Forest managers must assess and integrate a wide array of sometimes conflicting factors - commercial and non-commercial values, environmental considerations, community needs, and even global impact - to produce sound forest plans. In most cases, forest managers develop their forest plans in consultation with citizens, businesses, organizations and other interested parties in and around the forest tract being managed. The tools and visualization have been recently evolving for better management practices.

Because forests and societies are in constant flux, the desired outcome of sustainable forest management is not a fixed one. The requirements of a sustainably managed forest will change over time as the public values change.

3.2. Approaches of Sustainable Development:

There are three different concepts of sustainable development that reflect the ideas presented above—i.e., the economic, the ecological and the socio−cultural. The economic approach to sustainability is based on the concept of the maximum flow of income that could be generated while at least maintaining the stock of assets (or capital) which yields these benefits. There is an underlying concept of optimality and economic efficiency applied to the use of scarce resources. The ecological view of sustainable development focuses on the stability of biological and physical systems. Protection of biological diversity is a key aspect. The socio−cultural concept of sustainability tends to maintain the stability of social and cultural systems, including the reduction of destructive conflicts. Modern society would need to encourage and harness pluralism and grass−roots participation into a more effective decision-making framework for socially sustainable development. Biodiversity conservation does not require the preservation of all species, nor the maintenance of current environmental conditions. An evolutionary system requires that a level of biodiversity be maintained that will guarantee the resilience of the ecosystems on which human consumption and production, and therefore human welfare, depend. Sustainable development demands compensation for the opportunities foregone by future generations, because today's economic activity changes the level or composition of biodiversity in a way that will affect the flow of vital future ecological services, and narrow the options available to unborn generations. Finally, the implementation of sustainable development will require a pluralistic and consultative social framework that, among other things, facilitates the exchange of information between dominant and hitherto disregarded groups in order to identify less material and pollution intensive paths for human progress.

Fig: conceptual basis of sustainable development

Source: Munashinge (1992)

3.3. Contrasting two major resource management paradigms:

Dominant Resource Management Paradigm	New Resource Management Paradigm
Amenities are coincidental to commodity production	Amenity outputs have primary importance
Nature to produce goods and services(anthropocentric perspective)	Nature for its own sake (bio-centric perspective)
Commodity outputs over environmental protection	Environmental protection over commodity outputs
Primary concern for current generation(short-term)	Primary concern for current and future generations (long-term)
Intensive forest management such as clear-cutting, herbicides, slash burning	Less intensive forest management such as "new forestry" and selective harvesting
No resource shortages--emphasis on short-term production and consumption	Limits to resource growth, emphasis on conservation for long-term
Decision-making by experts	Consultative/participative decision-making
Centralized/hierarchical decision authority	Decentralized decision authority

Source: Adapted from Brown and Harris (1992) "The U.S. Forest Service: Toward the New Resource Management Paradigm?" Society and Natural Resources, Vol. 5, pp. 231-245.

3.4. International initiatives towards sustainability over time:

For the betterment of the forest management practice and to lead his towards sustainability different initiative have been taken by various organizations and countries. Some of the important initiatives are as follows:

Year	Initiatives
1963	International Biological Program initiated by nations around the world. This ten-year study analyzed environmental damage and the biological and ecological mechanisms through which it occurs. In creating a large body of data, it laid the foundation for a science-based environmentalism.
1968	International Conference for Rational Use and Conservation of the Biosphere (Paris) United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held pioneering event for discussing ecologically sustainable development.
1972	United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm) Addressed economic and environmental issues. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established, whose mission was to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
1980	World Conservation Strategy released by IUCN. The strategy defines development as "the modification of the biosphere and the application of human, financial, living and non-living resources to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life". The section "Towards Sustainable Development" identifies the main agents of habitat destruction as poverty, population pressure, social inequity and the terms of trade. It calls for a new International Development Strategy with the aims of redressing inequities, achieving a more dynamic and stable world economy, stimulating accelerating economic growth and countering the worst impacts of poverty. Independent Commission on International Development Issues publishes "North: South - A Program for Survival" (Brandt Report). It asks for a re-assessment of the notion of development and calls for a new economic relationship between North and South. US President Jimmy Carter authorizes study which led to the "Global 2000" report. This report recognizes biodiversity for the first time as a critical characteristic in the proper functioning of the planetary ecosystem. It further asserts that the robust nature of ecosystems is weakened by species extinction.
1983	World Commission on Environment and Development Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland asked by Secretary General of United Nations to lead a special commission (referred to as “Burndtland Commission”). Addressed how the world community could: Define a shared perception of long-term environmental issues and appropriate efforts to deal with them effectively. Develop a long-term environmental strategy for achieving sustainable development by the year 2000 and beyond. Development Alternatives is established in India It was established as a non-profit research, development and consultancy organization. It fosters a new relationship between people, technology and the environment in the South in order to attain the goal of sustainable development.
1984	International Conference on Environment and Economics Organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Concluded that environment and economics should be mutually reinforcing. Helped shape Our Common Future (see below).
1987	Our Common Future Published report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (see above), which popularized the term “sustainable development.” Defined “sustainable development” as “…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Often referred to as the “Brundtland Report.” Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer It is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by reducing the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987 and entered into force on January 1, 1989.
1992	United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro) Known to the world as “The Earth Summit.” Established sustainable development as a common goal of human development for the approximately 160 countries that attended the meeting. Recognized sustainable management of forests as a key component of sustainable development. Set Agenda 21, a blueprint for action in the 21st century, that includes a non-binding Statement of Forest Principles, including guidelines for sustainable forest management.
1993	United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Established to help countries implement Agenda 21. International Seminar of Experts on Sustainable Development of Boreal and Temperate Forests (Montreal) Resulted in initiative to develop and implement internationally agreed upon criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests. Second Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (Helsinki) USDA-Forest Service, representing U.S. as observer country, stated belief that all countries, not just members of the International Tropical Timber Organization, should adopt the goal of sustainable forest management by the year 2000. Presidential Decision Directive / NSC-16 Stated that the United States is committed “to a national goal of achieving sustainable management of U.S. forests by the year 2000.” Interagency Ecosystem Management Task Force Established in August 1993 to further President’s National Performance Review, which called for agencies of the federal government to adopt “a proactive approach to ensuring a sustainable economy and a sustainable environment through ecosystem management.” Released report in June 1995 titled The Ecosystem Approach: Healthy Ecosystems and Sustainable Economies that presented findings and recommendations.
1994	United States General Accounting Office Report on Ecosystem Management Examined the Administration’s federal management and natural resources framework. Published report dated April 29, 1994: Ecosystem Management: Additional Actions Needed to Adequately Test a Promising Approach. Identified the following barriers: (1) problems with data, (2) problems with interagency coordination, and (3) insufficient collaboration with non-federal parties. Working Group on Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests (Geneva) Ten countries established “Montreal Process” and held first meeting in September 1994. Participants included Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and United States. International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo) Conference elevated the idea that extreme poverty and a shortage of essential environmental resources can exacerbate ethnic and political divisions.
1995	Santiago Declaration (Santiago) Statement of political commitment to a comprehensive set of seven criteria and 67 indicators (C&I) for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests. Endorsed by 10 original Montreal Process countries (see above) on February 3, 1995 plus Argentina and Uruguay. Signatory countries have 60 percent of the world’s forests, 90 percent of the world’s temperate and boreal forests, and 35 percent of the world’s population. Intergovernmental Panel on Forests U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development established Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) to continue for two years the forest policy dialogue from the Earth Summit. First IPF meeting held on September 11-15, 1995, in New York City. First Approximation Report U.S. government begins work on First Approximation Report based on Montreal C&I.
1996	Montreal Process Technical Advisory Committee Established to support Montreal Process. Working Group agrees that all participating countries should prepare First Approximation Reports. President’s Council on Sustainable Development Released report, Sustainable America: A New Consensus. Outlined goals for “economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together.” Recommended that government initiate “a structured process involving a representative group of stakeholders to facilitate public and private efforts to define and achieve the national goal of sustainable management of forests by the year 2000.” Seventh American Forest Congress Over 1,500 citizens gathered in Washington, D.C. to discuss “what common ground do we have with regard to America’s forests?” Developed vision elements and set of principles, many of which include sustainability. United States Department of Agriculture Policy Secretary established Department-wide policy on Sustainable Development (Secretary’s Memorandum 9500-6) focusing on sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry, and sustainable rural community development.
1997	IPF Proposals for Action IPF Proposals for Action presented to the United Nations. Endorsed by the Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 (UNGASS). Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) Established July 1997 as IPF successor by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) under the Commission on Sustainable Development Charged with continuing policy dialogue on forests, including IPF Proposals for Action. Montreal Process First Approximation Report Participating countries developed individual country reports for Montreal Process to “share lessons learned.” Also prepared a consolidated report that was published and presented along with reports by other regional initiatives at Eleventh World Forestry Congress (Antalya, Turkey). National Association of State Foresters’ Resolution on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management National Association of State Foresters (NASF) approved Resolution Number 1997-6 on September 18, 1997. NASF and USDA Forest Service NASF and USDA Forest Service exchanged letters leading to further commitment by Forest Service to sustainable forest management.
1998	Letter to OMB and CEQ Six private sector organizations wrote Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to urge cooperation among Federal agencies in data collection. Organizations included NASF, Global Forest Policy Project, American Forest & Paper Association, National Audubon Society, Society of American Foresters, and World Wildlife Fund. G-8 Foreign Ministers Ministers endorsed outcomes of the 1997 UNGASS meeting on sustainable forest management. Published and committed member countries to implement the Action Program on Forests. Set out specific measures to promote sustainable forest management, which featured implementation of national criteria and indicators. Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on Sustainable Resource Management In response to a private sector letter to the OMB and CEQ, the Forest Service convened a meeting of public and private interests to share their perspectives about Montreal Process and discuss opportunities to foster sustainable forest management in the United States. State of Oregon’s First Approximation Report Oregon is first state to publish report on Montreal C&I as applied to its forests. Great Lakes Sustainable Forest Management Report Great Lakes Forest Alliance published report entitled Assessing Program in Sustainable Forest Management: Proposed Criteria and Indicators for the Upper Great Lakes Region. Reflects input from public and advice of a technical assistance group. Covers forests of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. “Chief’s Roundtable” Convened in response to letter to OMB and CEQ (see above) to emphasize need for a multi- stakeholder process to address C&I implementation. Attended by Secretary of Agriculture, Chief of Forest Service, and executive leadership from other governmental and non-governmental interests. Roundtable on Sustainable Forests Convenes first meeting September 1998. Multi-stakeholder process “to serve as a forum to share information and perspectives that will enable better decision making in the U.S. regarding sustainable forests.” Established as open and inclusive process and characterized by shared commitment to goal of sustainable forest management. Working motto: “Better data lead to better dialogue, which leads to better decisions.”
1999	Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable Organized as a companion process to the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests Works to “identify indicators of sustainability based on social, economic, and ecological factors, to provide a framework for national assessments of rangelands and rangeland use.” Sustainable Minerals Roundtable Multi-stakeholder process working to “support the nation’s commitment to sustainable development” and to “develop indicators of sustainability, based on social, economic, and environmental factors, to provide a means for assessing the status and trends of minerals/materials and energy systems.” Our Common Journey Report of four-year study conducted by the National Research Council within the National Academy of Sciences Published in response to request from major benefactor, George P. Mitchell, to: o Address the research needs for the global commons of atmosphere, land, and water; o Respond to the Academies’ desire to reinvigorate the role of science and development in sustainable development; and o Contribute to the meeting of 80 international academies in 2000 on the topic of a transition toward sustainability.
2000	United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Established in February 2000 as a non-legally binding, permanent intergovernmental body to “promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests…” and to facilitate and promote the implementation of proposals for action emanating from Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) over a five year period. Federal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sustainable Forest Management Data MOU initially signed October 16, 2000, by nine Federal agencies in U.S; included twelve agencies as of September 2001. Provides a common interagency forum for Federal coordination to resolve issues integral to collecting, monitoring, analyzing, reporting, and making available data related to the Montreal Process C&I on an ongoing basis. Creates a process for helping Federal agencies develop a national report by on the state of the Nation’s forests and progress towards sustainable forest management in the United States.
2001	Sustainable Forest Data Working Group of Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) FGDC Working Group chartered in February 2001 to further the goal of sustainable forest resources by fostering the standardization and implementation of criteria and indicators of sustainability. Responsible for developing annual work plans to implement the Federal MOU on Sustainable Forest Management Data. UNFF Organizational Meeting and First Session Led to a Multi-Year Program of Work (MYPOW) to focus work of future UNFF sessions on specific issues Initiated Collaborative Partnership on Forests, which consists of 14 international member organizations and serves to support work of UNFF and its member countries. United Nations Millennium Declaration Adopted by countries of the United Nations during the Millennium Summit to reaffirm their commitment to “a more peaceful, prosperous and just world.” Declaration identifies poverty elimination as highest priority and includes related Millennium Development Goals. Emphasizes need to adopt a new ethic of conservation and stewardship, including “to intensify our collective efforts for the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.” United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) (Geneva) North American and European countries participating in the ECE Regional Ministerial Meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development adopted a Ministerial Statement that focuses on the two overarching objectives of poverty eradication and sustainable production and consumption patterns. Related priorities include: sustainable management and conservation of natural resources, environment and health, making globalization work for sustainable development, improving governance and democratic processes at all levels, education, science and technology, and financing for sustainable development. NASF Sustainable Forestry Implementation Committee (SFIC) NASF reaffirmed its “strong commitment to leadership and involvement in sustainable forestry in the United States” and changed the status of its SFIC from an ad hoc to a standing committee. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Fourteen federal agencies sign MOU that designates USDA Forest Service as the lead agency to prepare National Report on Sustainable Forests.
2002	Society of American Foresters’ Sustainability and Forest Certification Working Group New working group created to focus on crosscutting aspect of sustainable forestry and forest certification systems, as well as to help support activities of other Society working groups and committees with related interests. First Approximation Report for States of the Northeast and Midwest Result of partnership between USDA-Forest Service in cooperation with State Foresters and State Forest Resource Planners n a 20-state region. Produced Sourcebook on Criteria and Indicators of Forest Sustainability in the Northeastern Area, May 2002. Second Session of UNFF Addressed progress related to environmental aspects of the conservation and sustainable management of forests (e.g., deforestation and forest degradation), as well as concepts, terminology, and definitions. Included Ministerial segment during which a “Ministerial Statement and Message to the World Summit on Sustainable Development” was adopted. World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg) Resulted in two negotiated documents: Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Focused implementation of Agenda 21 (see 1992 Earth Summit above) on more integrated and cross-sectoral solutions through voluntary public/private partnerships for sustainable development.
2003	National Report on Sustainable Forests USDA Forest Service, in cooperation with 13 federal signatories to MOU, begin to develop a report that evaluates trends and conditions in U.S. forests, both private and public, using the Montreal C&I framework. Roundtable convenes two initial review workshops (March and April 2002) and a final review workshop (November 2002) to provide stakeholder feedback. Roundtable establishes Core Group to provide feedback and guidance to the Roundtable process.
2004	Convention on Biological Diversity Sustainable forest management was recognized to be a concrete means of applying the Ecosystem Approach to forest ecosystems. The two concepts, sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach, aim at promoting conservation and management practices which are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable, and which generate and maintain benefits for both present and future generations.