Protecting the Forest or the People? Environmental Policies and Livelihoods in the Forest Margins of Southern Ghana

Abstract

Summary. -Although a wide range of policies to conserve the environment in the forest zones of southern Ghana exists on paper, in practice most are only applied in the commercially-valuable timber reserves. Environmental policies have little impact on those living in the forest margins since they are only sporadically applied, if at all. Indeed, even accepted community norms for resource use tend to be set aside when their application would interfere with key occupations. Livelihoods, however, depend heavily on natural resources, so conservation is necessary. The dilemma is to devise policies that are effective. Some decentralization of policy-making might improve matters, but care will be needed to avoid pitfalls.

Residents’ Support Intentions and Behaviors Regarding Urban Trees Programs: A Structural Equation Modeling-Multi Group Analysis

“…Fourth, as neighborhood trees and park trees occupy a larger area of urban regions than historical trees, they need to be targeted and promoted. Consistent with previous research on transforming peoples' good wishes into practical actions [32], this study shows that the current level of transformations is relatively low. Specifically, the intentions of historical trees have a bigger influence on actions, which indicates that historical trees are considered more important and valuable than other urban tree forms.…”

Decentralization’s Effects on Educational Outcomes in Bolivia and Colombia

“…Worse, de Mello's (2000) study of 30 countries predicts that failures of intergovernmental fiscal coordination will lead to chronic deficits and, eventually, macroeconomic instability. The papers of Sundar (2001), Thun (2004) and Wiggins, Marfo and Anchirinah (2004) offer more cautious, nuanced arguments, that are on the whole skeptical about the possibility of beneficial change through decentralization.…”

Identification of Non-economic Influencing Factors Affecting Farmer’s Participation in the Paddy Landto-Dry Land Program in Chicheng County, China

“…The gradual development of PES programs in China is accompanied by the challenges of a large population, a booming economy, and a reaffirmation of environmental protection to construct ecological civilization (as per the 18th CPC National Congress), yet is practiced with the traditional institutional thinking of compulsory implementation. To achieve the effectiveness of a policy or project, scientific correctness is far from sufficient and voluntary support from participants is in need [53,54]. Unfortunately, the PES programs profitable directly for locals are implemented through top-down command and control, which brings regional unbalance [55,56].…”