Evaluating natural resource policies from the inside out: providing the evidence base for recognition and integration of local communities in the management of native trees in the Segou region of Mali

The state of Malian parklands, associated good s and services vary from region. Hypotheses about the reasons for this include their proximity to classified or protected forests, demographic patterns, livestock pressure, the failure to adequately mediate trade-offs, proximity to urban environment, the degree of the enforcement of the forestry law, local conventions, involvement of the community in natural resource management and the perceptions of villages. Over the years, the dynamics of these factors, despite forward looking policies and legislation 1 of early 1990s, have led to the degradation of Parklands. Lack of clarity on land and tree tenure has nega tively affected farmers’ management of trees and other silvicultural practices. Elsewhere (e.g. in Niger) management of native trees has been improved because the forestry law is fair with traditional practices of agroforestry (Ly et. at. 2006; Koffi and Kalinganire, 2007 2 {in preparation}). In this case natural regeneration, adoption of improved tree management practices and other silvicultural practices have been attributed to the recognition of the local commu nities and integration of local conventions in natural resource use. Despite continued degradation of Malian parklands and influences of regional policy fora (e.g. the Dakar policy workshop) there is no framework for involving communities and building partnerships for saving the parklands. This study therefore set to i) understand the effects of the different provisions of the forestry policy on native tree use, socio-cultural and local economic conditions of local communities, ii) land and tree tenure, iii) access to trees on the use, management, domestication and conservation of native trees and shrubs, and iv) understanding their roles with regard to trees by defining their rights, responsibilities, benefits and relationships (provide basis for re-thinking, negotiating and re- evaluating the law).

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