Institutional Constraints on Interactive Community Participation in Forest Conservation in Mozambique

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the institutional constraints that limit the active participation of rural communities in the sustainable use and management of forest resources in Mozambique. It was found that the Land Law does not encourage smallholders to invest in land resource conservation when soil fertility and yields decline and weed infestation begins to manifest. Recognition of customary institutions as legitimate authorities in the management of land and embedded resources by the Land, and Forestry and Wildlife laws constrains the effective participation of women in sustainable use. Both laws externalize the costs of natural resource degradation and have inappropriate beliefs in the capacity of traditional institutions to effectively implement sustainable use and management of natural resources. Lack of skilled human resources was also identified as a key factor limiting the effective implementation of natural resources policies in Mozambique. The majority of rural communities that depend on land, forest, and wildlife resources are unaware of the relevant statutes that govern the ownership and utilization of these natural resources. This paper provides pertinent recommendations for resolving these institutional constraints on the sustainable use and management of natural resources in Mozambique.

KEYWORDS:

• Mozambique
• southern Africa
• traditional institutions
• interactive community participation
• communal tenure
• privatization

The author would like to thank South Africa-Netherlands Research Program on Alternatives in Development (SANPAD) for the research grant that made this study possible. The author also acknowledges the useful comments of the reviewers that contributed to improving the quality of this paper.

Notes

Government of Mozambique. 2000. Lei N.° 10/99 de 7 de Julho. Princípios e normas básicas sobre a protecção, conservação e utilização sustentável dos recursos florestais e faunísticaos. Maputo, Mozambique, Imprensa Nacional de Moçambique.