Continuing high rates of deforestation and forest degradation and the poor contribution of forests and forestry to poverty reduction are undermining efforts to promote sustainable forest management
(SFM) in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

There has been much interest recently in promoting decentralization in the forestry sector in the belief that it would bring in downward accountability, which in turn would ensure economic efficiency, sustainability of the resource, and social and economic equity.

This document is the final version of the

This recent paper examines Forest Rights Act 2006 to analyse whether its detailed provisions are likely to fulfil its ambitious mandate. It discusses the  complementary institutional reform required for strengthening the law’s provisions & the limited attention this has so far received.

This paper considers the relationship between the historical emergence of colonial forestry institutions in forest areas of Andhra Pradesh and the chronic poverty of people living there.

This publication synthesizes observations and findings from almost 50 country and thematic reports in providing analyses of the status and trends of all aspects of Asia-Pacific forestry. Key factors driving changes in forestry in the region are analysed.