The Changing Forest Management Paradigm in Africa: A Case for Community Based Forest Management System

Abstract

The paper presents the state of forests in sub-Saharan African (SSA)countries, salient factors leading to forest
loss, the influence of mitigating measures being adopted, and an assessment of the community based forest
management systems(CBFM). The study reveals that a number of promising CBFM constructs have been tried
and more are being implemented in the region. Implementation progress shows that virtually all countries have
enacted supportive policies, legislations, institutional instruments and reforms. Notable trajectories contributing
to sustainable forest management, with prospects for enhancing social justice, economic, environmental, social
institutions and human capital, are noted. Bottlenecks stifling CBFM’s growth, particularly those associated
with conflicts, challenges, constraints and threats are examined. In a final chapter, the paper recommends a
need to establish an inclusive platform to guide institutional reforms and to mount a comprehensive research
programme.