scholarly journals Sociological and Organizational aspects of Fuel Wood Growing in Traditional Communities: The Case of Northern Togo

Afrika Focus ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Patrick van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Rural And Urban

As in many other African countries, wood is the most important source of energy for the rural and urban populations of Togo. Traditional attitudes towards trees and prohibitive laws explain why trees are not planted “spontaneously” by local communities even though they are facing serious woodfuel shortage problems. Promotion of tree planting has recently been taken up by government agencies and foreign funded projects. Most of them try to get local communities to plant trees, but their efforts are not always very successful. The reasons are manyfold: - the lack of tradition where tree planting is concerned; - the lack of familiarity with the proposed tree species; - the “delayed reward” when trees have been planted; - the abscence of a fuelwood problem, according to the local population; - the location of the newly planted trees: near the house? at the roadside? round the field? - the social organization of the community, and the traditional land tenure system; - the lack of certainty about the ultimate rights to the tree and the possibilities to cut it; - abscence of protection of the stands by a lack of motivation of the planter; - in some instances: the price of the plants; - the persons who are asked to plant the trees are not necessarily those that will have to cut them and use the fuelwood. Recently, it has become clear that the key to successful reforestation lies within the local communities. Small scale approaches may well be the long term solution to the problem of fuelwood and energy supply, and involving women in the project interventions a further step in a more integrated approach. As it is, the recent “social forestry” approach might well be the long expected solution. To meet the objective of having people plant trees, however, it will be necessary to establish a good extension service which not only starts initiatives but also assures a thorough follow up once the planting has started. The problems that have to be overcome - or bypassed - remain difficult, but recent experience has nevertheless given some insight in how to solve them!

scholarly journals Sociologcal and Organizational Aspects of Fuel Wood growing in traditional Communities: The Case of Northern Togo

Afrika Focus ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Rural And Urban

As in many other African countries, wood is the most important source of energy for the rural and urban populations of Togo. Traditional attitudes towards trees and prohibitive laws explain why trees are not planted "spontaneously" by local communities even though they are facing serious woodfuel shortage problems. Promotion of tree planting has recently been taken up by government agencies and foreign funded projects. Most of them try to get local communities to plant trees, but their efforts are not always very successful. The reasons are manyfold: - the lack of tradition where tree planting is concerned; - the lack of familiarity with the proposed tree species; - the "delayed reward" when trees have been planted; - the absence of a fuelwood problem, according to the local population ;                                   - the location of the newly planted trees: near the house? at the roadside ? round the field ?     - the social organization of the community, and the traditional land tenure system;                  - the lack of certainty about the ultimate rights to the tree and the possibilities to cut it;            - absence of protection of the stands by a lack of motivation of the planter;                              - in some instances: the price of the plants;                                                                          - the persons who are asked to plant the trees are not necessarily those that will have to cut        them and use the fuelwood.Recently, it has become clear that the key to successful refo- restation lies within the local communities. Small scale approaches may well be the long term solution to the problem of fuelwood and energy supply, and involving women in the project interventions a further step in a more integrated approach.  As it is, the recent "social forestry" approach might well be the long expected solution. To meet the objective of having people plant trees, however, it will be necessary to establish a good extension service which not only starts initiatives but also assures a thorough follow up once the planting has started.The problems that have to be overcome - or bypassed - remain difficult, but recent experience has nevertheless given some insight in how to solve them! KEYWORDS: woodfuel, Togo, reforestation, integrated development 

Local Communities as a Tool for the Development of Municipal Democracy: German Experience and Lessons for Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 74-88
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Larichev ◽  
Emil Markwart
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
The State ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Issue Management ◽  
State Management ◽  
Municipal Level

Local government as a political, legal and social institution finds itself in a very difficult period of development in Russia. The long-established tendency of its subordination to the state has intensified today in connection with the newly adopted constitutional amendments. At the same time, it seems obvious that further “embedding” of local government into the state management vertical, in the absence of any positive effect in terms of solving socio-economic and infrastructural problems, will inevitably lead to other hard to reverse, negative results both for local government institutions and the system of public authority as a whole. The normal functioning of local government requires, however, not only the presence of its sufficient institutional and functional autonomy from the state, but also an adequate territorial and social base for its implementation. To ensure the formation of viable territorial collectives, especially in urban areas, it seems appropriate to promote the development of self-government based on local groups at the intra-municipal level. Such local groups can independently manage issues of local importance on a small scale (landscaping, social volunteering, and neighborly mutual assistance), and provide, within the boundaries of a local territory, due civil control over the maintenance by municipal authorities of more complex and large-scale local issues (repair and development of infrastructure, removal of solid household waste and more). At the same time, the development of local communities can by no means be a self-sufficient and substitutional mechanism, whose introduction would end the need for democracy in the full scope of municipal structures overall. In this regard, the experience of local communities’ development in Germany, a state with legal traditions similar to Russian ones, with a centuries-old history of the development of territorial communities and a difficult path to building democracy and forming civil society, seems to be very interesting. Here, the progressive development of local forms of democracy and the participation of residents in local issue management are combined with stable mechanisms of municipal government, and the interaction of municipalities with the state does not torpedo the existing citizen forms of self-government. At the same time, the experience of Germany shows that the decentralization of public issue management which involves the local population can only be effective in a situation where, in addition to maintaining a full-fledged self-government mechanism at the general municipal level, relevant local communities are endowed with real competence and resources to influence local issue decision-making. The role of formalized local communities in urban areas, as the German experience shows, can not only facilitate the decentralization of solving public problems, but can also help in timely elimination of triggers for mobilizing citywide supercollectives with negative agendas. This experience seems useful and applicable in the Russian context.

scholarly journals How Diverse is Tree Planting in the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso? Comparing Small-Scale Restoration with Other Planting Initiatives

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Valette ◽  
Barbara Vinceti ◽  
Daouda Traoré ◽  
Alain Touta Traoré ◽  
Emma Lucie Yago-Ouattara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Tree Seed

In the Sahelian region, different approaches are being used to halt environmental degradation and restore tree cover, with varying degrees of success. Initiatives vary according to projects’ objectives, type of land to restore, and technical practices used (natural regeneration, farmer-managed assisted regeneration, enrichment planting, etc.). This study investigates tree planting choices and selection of tree seed sources in some villages of the Central region of Burkina Faso. The study targeted 96 farmers and compared planting practices adopted by farmers involved in small-scale forest restoration using fences, with those not involved in this initiative. The objective was to understand what portfolio of tree species were planted, what factors influenced tree species selection, what tree seed sources were used, what collection practices were generally adopted, and whether there were significant differences between types of farmers. The results showed that the use of fencing to promote forest restoration support the planting of a more diverse portfolio of tree species than other small scale efforts and includes a greater representation of indigenous trees. Fenced plots have therefore a conservation value in landscapes where the diversity of tree species is progressively declining. In addition to the use of fences, some other key factors affect tree planting, mainly land tenure, availability of diverse tree seed sources, and availability of land. Farmers tend to collect directly most of the planting material they need, but in the majority of cases they do not follow recommended best practices. In light of the ambitious forest restoration targets of Burkina Faso and the need to provide diverse options to rural communities to enhance their resilience vis-à-vis increasing environmental challenges, strengthening the capacity of farmers in tree planting and establishing a robust tree seed systems are crucial targets.

scholarly journals Ethnobotanical and Socio-economics of Dracaena camerooniana Baker in Uíge Province, Northern Angola

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Mawunu Monizi ◽  
Dionisio Canga André ◽  
Lukoki Luyeye ◽  
Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua ◽  
Luyindula Ndiku
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Oral Tradition ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Health Food ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Data Collections

Aims: The aim of this research was to contribute to the survey of ethnobotanical knowledge on the use of Dracaena camerooniana by the local communities’ bordering the tropical forests of Uíge province. Study Design: The data collections were carried out using the semi-structured interview method. The approch methods are an ethnobotanical and socio-economics surveys populations of the study area. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in the province of Uíge, Republic of Angola, from April 2016 to March 2018, period that covers the dry and rainy season. Methodology: The surveys consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the knowledge and multiples uses of D. camerooniana among the surrounding population. The interview were conducted in Kikongo language and in Portuguese according to the mastered by the people surveyed. Results: The findings show that tropical forest zones of Congolese guinea/Zambian located in Uíge Province, is full of high value non-wood forest products (NWFPs) including D. camerooniana Baker (locally called Nzala bakala or Nsala bakala). This plant species is a wild green vegetable essence appreciated by the local population and is an additional source of financial income for subsistence farmers and Hunter-gatherers. Knowledge of D. camerooniana consumption was transmitted from generation to generation by oral tradition. The study also shows that D. camerooniana is well known and used by the local communities of Uíge. Finally, the consumption and commercialization of NWFPs, such as the leaves of D. camerooniana contribute in strengthening nutrition, health, food diversity, income and livelihoods. Conclusion: Despite its importance in food security and socioeconomic terms in both rural and urban areas, few scientific researchers have been fully interested in its valorization. In addition, the phytochemical studies should be carried out to discover the nutritional, toxic, and medicinal properties of this plant.

scholarly journals External Interventions and Community Innovativeness to Cope with Changes in Ecosystem Services of the Okpara Dam in Northen Benin

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Salomon Balogoun ◽  
LatifouI Drissou
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Drinking Water Source

The Okpara dam in Northern Benin offers multiple ecosystem services (ESS) to the riparian communities living around. It is an important drinking water source for the populations of the largest nearby metropolis Parakou. Many development activities have been undertaken to increase its capacity to supply drinking water by the Benin national water Company (SONEB: Société National des Eaux du Bénin). These activities combined with climate change are drastically affecting the sustainability of ESS supply. This paper aims to analyse the determinants of changes in the provision of ESS and to assess the local innovations developed by local communities to adapt to these changes. Data collection consisted in interviewing 111 individuals in the nearby villages of the Okpara dam. It included farmers, fishermen, religious dignitaries, SONEB officials, and traditional leaders. The results show that the modernization work undertaken by SONEB has increased the capacity of the dam to supply drinking water to the Parakou’s population. On the other hand, they have deprived the local communities of many ESS such as cultural and religious spaces, entertainment and agricultural production areas. In addition to these development works, climate change and other anthropic actions are also cited as factors explaining the depletion of certain ESS around the dam. To limit the damage and safeguard agricultural production, local population have developed agricultural areas downstream of the dam with the creation of autonomous water points for market gardening. Fish farming areas have also been created for small-scale fishing. These innovations have helped not only to improve the availability of drinking water but also increase the income of farmers and fishermen and improve the social cohesion among the communities.

A Court in Decline? Examining the Regality Court Records of Melrose, Roxburghshire, 1657–84

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Vivienne Dunstan
Keyword(s):  
Seventeenth Century ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Court Records ◽  
Seminal Work

McIntyre, in his seminal work on Scottish franchise courts, argues that these courts were in decline in this period, and of little relevance to their local population. 1 But was that really the case? This paper explores that question, using a particularly rich set of local court records. By analysing the functions and significance of one particular court it assesses the role of this one court within its local area, and considers whether it really was in decline at this time, or if it continued to perform a vital role in its local community. The period studied is the mid to late seventeenth century, a period of considerable upheaval in Scottish life, that has attracted considerable attention from scholars, though often less on the experiences of local communities and people.

scholarly journals Values and Preferences for Domestic Water Use: A Study from the Transboundary River Basin of Mékrou (West Africa)

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1232
Author(s):  
Vasileios Markantonis ◽  
Celine Dondeynaz ◽  
Dionysis Latinopoulos ◽  
Kostas Bithas ◽  
Ioannis Trichakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Western World ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Provision

Water is indispensable for human life and sufficient domestic use is considered as a regularity in the western world. The conditions are substantially different in African countries where poverty and lack of life-supporting services prevail. The provision of domestic water is an essential problem, which requires action. The lack of sufficient funding for the development of infrastructure supports claims for citizen participation in related costs. However, can citizens pay and to what extend for sufficient water provision? The present study investigates a household’s willingness to pay for domestic water in the transboundary Mékrou River Basin in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger) and explores the payment for domestic water provision to poverty. The paper uses the results of a household survey that was undertaken in the Mekrou basin including a representative sample from all three countries. Based on this survey the paper presents basic socio-economic characteristics of the local population as well as qualitative water provision and management attributes. In the core of the econometric analysis the paper presents the results of the survey’s Contingent Valuation (CV) scenario estimating the households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a domestic water provision. The households of the Mekrou basin are willing to pay 2.81 euro per month in average for a domestic water provision network but this is strongly related with the wealth of households. This finding although it may support the “user pays principle”, it also raises serious questions over the provision of water to poor households.

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