Joint management for forest lands: Experiences from South Asia

This paper briefly examines three regions within South Asia where poor land management is causing environmental degradation and social and economic problems for rural communities. Within each setting, an example is given of a government agency which is attempting to improve land management through partnerships with community groups. The experiences of each program are discussed and assesed in terms of the productivity, equity, and sustainability of emerging joint management systems. The paper concludes by describing Foundation efforts to support forest agencies developing new approaches to participatory management. (author)