People, trees, and rural development: the role of social forestry

Social forestry refers to a broad range of tree- or forest-related activities undertalen by rural landowners and community groups to provide products for their own use and for generating local income. Such activities can contribute both directly and indirectly to improving the environment, increasing food and energy security, and reducing unemployment. Social forestry programs that involve millions of people growing trees in and around their farms and villages is one economically feasible solution to the rural energy crisis in many nations; small forest-based enterprises can also serve as a source of on- and off-site employment in rural areas. The common elements of successful social forestry programs are widespread local participation backed by higher level political support, and sustainable, productivity-increasing technologies that are adaptable to local circumstances.