A Global Review of the Impact of Forest Property Rights Interventions on Poverty

Policy Brief Video Series by FLARE
Access the Policy Brief: doi.org/10.727...
Research Authors: Daniel C. Miller, Pushpendra Rana, Katia Nakamura,
Samantha Irwin, Samantha H. Cheng, Sofia Ahlroth,
Emilie Perge
Summary:
Policies and programs to strengthen forest tenure and property
rights have been implemented in countries around the world
over the past 25 years. However, systematic knowledge of their
effects on poverty remains lacking. We address this gap through
a comprehensive review of evidence on these interventions
impacts on income, assets, and other indicators of poverty. On
balance, our results suggest that investments in strengthening
forest property rights for local communities can help boost
livelihoods and alleviate poverty. We also find tentative evidence
that devolution of rights beyond access or management to
the more extensive rights of exclusion and alienation is more
effective. Our findings underscore the importance of careful
design of forest-related property rights policies so they do not
impose costly responsibilities on the poor, women, and those
heavily reliant on forest resources for their livelihoods.