PLP is an induced process to stimulate a dynamic interaction among farmers and between farmers and agencies. It attempts to reduce local resource tensions and to establish permanent long-term relationships. Identifying and solving problems is seen as a gradual process.As project partners work together through stages to improve situations in land-use and forest management, both develop a common understanding of local problems (Fox, 1988).
PLP AS A KEY IMPLEMENTING TOOL
Land-use planning is a geographical and urban design technique. Participatory Land-use Planning (PLP) is a process involving local people in the management and development of forest and land resources. Creating a common understanding of concepts and way of thinking and acting in village situations can be quite complicated. Therefore, a simple method is required. During the operational stage, standard audio-visual equipment is often used as part of an information campaign without a careful assessment of the pre-operation stage. This method and its results have not yet been studied carefully due to time and budget constraints.
The operational steps of participatory land-use planning are as follows.
(1) Preparation (reading and interpretation)
(2) Survey
(3) Utilization and adjustment
(4) Field application
(5) Agency's design
(6) Community's design and negotiation
(7) Actual operation.
IMPLEMENTING PLP
PLP is a methodology which can be modified to fit various projects of an integrated development type or of a specific resource-based and area-based scheme. However, it may not be equally applicable under all types of project conditions. It is essential that the PLP process is designed to encourage the real involvement of people throughout its stages. A general principle of PLP is that all project information is equally shared or accessible to all parties. A simplified and visualised form of information can be shared and understood by all. The use of a large-scale map and aerial photo of 1:5,000 scales provides real visibility to foresters as well as to villagers. The results of the social forestry project indicate that both of them gradually develop a common understanding and become ready to share decisions concerning village land-use plans and related community development activities. A land-based planning process clearly facilitates the efforts of groups and agencies to coordinate their thinking and their activities.
As PLP operations proceed, the weaker party (villagers) are equally well informed and gradually gain more confidence. When villagers are able to think about community problems and be active in decision-making, it becomes possible for them to have a real input on the formation of cooperative actions and on group organization in later stages.
Advantages
- Through participatory land-use planning, local people come to feel ownership of the plans. This means there is a chance that they will implement them willingly, and that the activities and impacts will be sustainable.
- The involvement of both outsiders and knowledgeable local experts means that realistic technical solutions to the problems can be decided on.
Disadvantages
- Implementing land-use plans involves a lot of work but typically yields benefits only in the long term. Ways must be found of providing short-term as well as long-term benefits.
- Poor management by village committees may make it difficult for them to follow their own plans. Additional follow-up may be necessary to assist such committees.
- It may be difficult to involve women in the decision-making processes.
Scope of PLUP
- PLUP should be carried out in areas where there is a present or likely land use conflict
- For reasons of practicability, PLUP should always start at the lower administrative levels (village, commune)
- PLUP should deal with all areas traditionally used and claimed by communities (e.g. protected areas, fish domain/lots, forest/agriculture concession, settlement, mines)
- Therefore the PLUP scope is very general and is about every type of land and every type of resources
