Annual Report 2006/07 - ETH - North-South Centre North-South ...

Research fellowKaspar Schmidt, ETH ZurichSupervisorsJohn Northridge, IRDD, University of Reading,UK / Jean-Pierre Sorg, ETH Zurich / BronislavI. Venglovsky, Forest Research Institute,KyrgyzstanCollaboratorsCarol J. Colfer, CIFOR, Indonesia / Jean-MarieSamyn, Intercooperation / Gulnaz T. Jalilova,Forest Research Institute, KyrgyzstanDurationMay 2001 – October 2006Research Fellow Partnership Programme (RFPP)Knowledge and strategies of local peopleinvolved in forest managementin the walnut-fruit forests in KyrgyzstanThe walnut-fruit forests of Southern Kyrgzystan are part of arich cultural landscape, a mosaic of natural forest stands,plantations, arable fields and open areas. They offer a widerange of agricultural and forest products that are used bylocal communities. This research project was aimed at exploringways in which local people can contribute to the sustainablemanagement of these state-owned forests. Researchfocused on forestry-relevant knowledge of local people, theirforest use practices seen in the context of their overall livelihoodsystems, on governance issues and on questions regardingbiodiversity conservation.This project has also contributed to scientific capacity building.Gulnaz Jalilova, a young female Kyrgyz scientist andformer member of the project team, succeeded in securing ascholarship to continue her studies at the University of NaturalResources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria.In terms of knowledge, the study found that, generally, localpeople have solid forestry skills and relevant technical andmarketing knowledge. Applied ecological knowledge, however,is less widespread. This underlines the need forsilvicultural advice to be provided by foresters. Other socioeconomicresults show that the walnut-fruit forests are a keyresource for subsistence and an important, but rather unreliablesource of cash income. Key governance aspectscovered in the analysis include equity issues regarding accessto forest resources, different models to involve local people inforest management, and decision-making regarding forestmanagement. From the findings, recommendations formobilising and extending the knowledge available with localpeople are derived. New roles for local people, state bodiesand civil society are envisaged as these stakeholders movetowards a more participatory management system for thewalnut-fruit forests.An Uzbek leaseholder and his son show seedlings of walnut, dogroseand other fruit trees.43