Determination of Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits for Community Participation In
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Determination of social, environmental and economic benefits for community participation in forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa By: Leo Searle Long Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Scientae in the Faculty of Science at the Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa 05 December 2018 Supervisor: Prof Keith Little Co-supervisor: Prof Paxie Chirwa ii DECLARATION BY CANDIDATE NAME: Leo Searle Long STUDENT NUMBER: 20687137 QUALIFICATION: MSc in Forestry TITLE OF PROJECT: Determination of social, environmental and economic benefits for community participation in forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa. DECLARATION: In accordance with Rule G5.6.3, I hereby declare that the above-mentioned treatise/ dissertation/ thesis is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment to another University or for another qualification. SIGNATURE: ________________________________________________________ DATE: __________________________________________14/03/2019 _______________ i ABSTRACT Rural communities living adjacent to commercial forestry operations are often affected by numerous negative social issues such as poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare, and limited infrastructure, amongst others. In excess of 61% of forestry land managed by the state owned SAFCOL SOC Ltd is under land claim, as part of the Restitution of Land Rights Act (Act 22 of 1994). It is therefore necessary for forest companies to seek active means of engaging and partnering with these communities through a participatory forest management (PFM) approach. This study explored the sustainable (social, environmental and economic), benefits of such an approach as perceived (experienced) by these local rural communities, and specifically land claimants. The study was conducted in communities adjacent to SAFCOL plantations in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Data were collected between May and June 2017 by means of a structured questionnaire. Surveys were conducted on 46 households within the identified communities so as to verify and evaluate perceived benefits in terms of forest products, ecosystem services and amenities/services/infrastructure provided by SAFCOL and the broader forest industry. The results indicated that these communities recognize and obtain numerous social, environmental and economic benefits from the forest including Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as firewood; forest provisioning ecosystem services (FPESs) such as improved water quality; and more metaphysical benefits such as access to gravesites and the protection of traditions and customs. These benefits have the ability to improve the social well-being, economic independence, and the quality of environmental services obtained by the associated communities. It was however found that the utilization of these benefits was widely differentiated according to gender and land claimant status. Whilst males and females largely benefitted equally, there was a distinct benefit preference between genders for different NTFPs. For example males showed preference for the collection of building material, bush meat and for livestock husbandry, whilst females showed preference for the collection of firewood, medicinal plants and fruit, amongst others. Similarly, it was found that overall, non-land claimants benefited more than land claimants. Reasons for this are primarily due to the increased distance with which the land claimants live from the forest resource when compared to non-land claimants. The empirical value of the data produced through this study will be invaluable in negotiations with the land claimant communities on land settlement agreements, joint venture proposals, including Participatory Forest Management, and future land tenure. ii Through such inclusivity and vested interest in the sustainable management of the forests, corporate risk is reduced and community/land claimant relationships are reinforced. Such Participatory Forest Management arrangements are key to ensuring the longevity and resilience to the forest sector post-transfer of claimed land. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and fore mostly, I would like to acknowledge The Most High God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave me the strength and ability required to complete this study. His Grace is indeed sufficient. I would also like to acknowledge the support of my supervisors; Professor Keith Little (of Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Paxie Chirwa (of the University of Pretoria), whose invaluable advice and knowledge is much appreciated. To SAFCOL, for making the funding, time and resources available for this study, I thank you. Finally, to the rural communities who live adjacent to, interact with and depend on the forest resources, I see you, I hear you, I thank you. iv DEDICATIONS I would like to dedicate this study to my wife, Kerry, my son, Joshua, and my daughter, Rachel, who have stood faithfully by me during this lengthy endeavour, their love and support has made it worthwhile. Furthermore, to “All who benefit from trees, but especially those whose livelihoods depend on them” (Evans et al. 2004). “For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” (Psalms 9v18) “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (Proverbs 21v13) “Often the poor have poor rights too” – Unknown v SYNOPSIS OF THESIS Determination of social, environmental and economic benefits for community participation in forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 2 Chapter 5 Introduction/ Results Methodology Discussion Conclusion and Literature study recommendations Brief overview Description of Demographics Demographics of forestry in South Africa study area Social Benefits Social Benefits Sample selection Background to Economic Benefits Economic Benefits PFM Data collection Environmental Benefits within samples Environmental Benefits Legal framework for Social Benefits Social Benefits SFM and PFM Data analysis Principals of Integration SFM and PFM Forestry , livelihoods and rural development Social, Economic, and Environmental Benefits of forests Literature review summary Problem statement Research objectives background Potential contributions of the study Ethical considerations Limitations of study vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... iv DEDICATIONS ............................................................................................................ v SYNOPSIS OF THESIS .............................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... xi LIST OF ACRONYMS................................................................................................ xii CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................... 1 1.1. Brief overview of forestry in South Africa ......................................................... 1 1.2. Background to Participatory Forest Management ............................................ 2 1.3. Legal framework for Sustainable Forest Management and Participatory Forest Management ..................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Principles of Sustainable Forest Management and Participatory Forest Management ...................................................................................................... 8 1.5. Forestry, livelihoods and rural development ................................................... 12 1.6. Social, Economic and Environmental benefits of forests ................................ 14 1.6.1. Social benefits ........................................................................................... 16 1.6.2. Economic benefits .................................................................................... 17 1.6.3. Environmental benefits .............................................................................. 19 1.7. Literature Review Summary............................................................................. 21 1.8. Problem statement ........................................................................................... 22 1.9. Research objectives background ..................................................................... 23 1.10. Potential contributions of the study to the South African forest industry ........ 24 1.11. Ethical considerations .................................................................................... 25 1.12. Limitations of study ........................................................................................ 25 vii CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................... 26 2.1. Description of study area ................................................................................ 26 2.2. Sample selection ...........................................................................................