DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IN FORESTRY : AN AID POLICY BACKGROUND PAPER

has both the mandate and the experience to help developing countries address the serious global environment problem of deforesta- tion. This A.I.D. policy background paper identifies current forestry issues, describes A.I.D. forestry-related experiences, and sketches an A.I.D. forestry strategy for the 1980"s. Most forestry problems occur when ecosystem use is changed in non-sustainable ways, i.e., ways which render forests continuously unproductive. Rapid population growth rates and inadequate technologies give rise in developing countries to four unsustainable forest use patterns: excessive fuelwood collection; shifting cultivation; replacement of forest lands with pasture and forage production; and unrestrained timber harvesting. In addressing these problems, past A.I.D. projects have concentrated on analysis, planning, and policy formulation including natural resource inventories and land use assessments, land capability classification, and evaluation of tenure law and its applications; institution-build- ing for natural resource management and conservation, including train- ing and establishing management and service support systems; incorporating forestry activities into agricultural and rural develop- ment programs; reforestation and protection of natural and induced vegetation; and developing alternative energy strategies. The author recommends that future A.I.D. forestry projects aim at: (1) raising the level of developing country awareness of the forestry problem; (2) supporting direct forestry development initiatives such as identifying critical catchment areas and training local people for local forestry projects; (3) reducing the causes of deforestation by developing renewable and alternative energy sources and appropriate and sustain- able cropping systems; (4) increasing efficiency in the use of forestry and other natural resources by technological improvements and controlling resource use rates; and (5) improving institutional capabilities for forestry and natural resource management. Implement- ing this stratgey will require a careful identification of priority activities by USAID"s, accomodation to the longer time span required for forestry development, and marshalling the necessary funds, technology, and personnel.