Utilizing Multiple Criteria and Decision Analysis for Sustainable Walnut Fruit Forests Management of Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

The management of the walnut fruit forests is one of the key issues of the forest sector in Kyrgyzstan to address the challenges in conserving forest resources, assure socio-economice efficiency and the livelihood of people. However, there is an urgent demand to assess sustainable forest management (SFM), which generally involves the use of Criteria and Indicators (C&I). In our case study Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) techniques have been applied following five steps: environmental setting, development of C&I, analysis of preferences, development of management strategies and selecting the best alternative. The approach was applied at forestry management unit. In general, 7 criteria and 45 ind icators have been identified using rating, ranking and pairwise comparion techniques within the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The priorities derived by the individual pairwise comparions were aggregated for all stakeholders groups by using the geometric mean. Futhermore, four different management strategies have been developed and the performances of the strategies were assessed wthin a AHP model. Accordingly, the results in the case study supported the practical use of the MCA approach taken, as the interests and preferences were systematically analysed and the expectations of different stakeholders were identified. However, to adapt the process of MCA it was found that more time and efforts are needed in order to create a participatory environment in the context of Kyrgyzstan. It is discussed that in practical operational planning the government has to initiate and stimulate such a participatory process for sustainable forest management by providing financial subsidies and practical help.