Exploring the potentials of community-based natural resource management for benefiting local communities: policies and practice in four communities in Andhra Pradesh, India

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring the potentials of community-based natural resource management for benefiting local communities

T2 - policies and practice in four communities in Andhra Pradesh, India

AU - Saito, Moeko

AU - Nathan, Iben

PY - 2011/11

Y1 - 2011/11

N2 - This article contributes to the debate about the potentials of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) for benefiting local communities. It is based on a case study of the implementation of joint forest management (JFM) policies in four communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. The case study results show varying outcomes across communities, both intended and unintended. The article argues that attributes of communities and relationships of power play significant roles in producing differing policy outcomes in the communities. Furthermore, the article identifies educational levels of and internal power relations in the communities as important factors that influence the actual results of JFM policies. The article concludes that an analytical focus on the dynamic interaction between policies and local contexts and increased "reflexibility" in the design and implementation of CBNRM are required for such initiatives to realize their potentials.

AB - This article contributes to the debate about the potentials of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) for benefiting local communities. It is based on a case study of the implementation of joint forest management (JFM) policies in four communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. The case study results show varying outcomes across communities, both intended and unintended. The article argues that attributes of communities and relationships of power play significant roles in producing differing policy outcomes in the communities. Furthermore, the article identifies educational levels of and internal power relations in the communities as important factors that influence the actual results of JFM policies. The article concludes that an analytical focus on the dynamic interaction between policies and local contexts and increased "reflexibility" in the design and implementation of CBNRM are required for such initiatives to realize their potentials.

U2 - 10.1080/08941920.2010.516062

DO - 10.1080/08941920.2010.516062

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0894-1920

VL - 24

SP - 1142

EP - 1156

JO - Society and Natural Resources

JF - Society and Natural Resources

IS - 11

ER -