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| Evolution of Political Economy and Forest Management in Bhutan |
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Reference |
| Dorji, Lam, and Edward L Webb. 2003. "Evolution of Political Economy and Forest Management in Bhutan." Presented at "Politics of the Commons: Articulating Development and Strengthening Local Practices", Chiang Mai, Thailand, July 11-14, 2003. Link: http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/archive/00001114/ |
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Introduction to the Institution |
| local resource management institutions in Bhutan evolved prior to 1950s. The livelihoods of peasant farmers were characterized by dependency on the agricultural lands and surrounding forest resources for wood, fodder, water, and other forest products. With poverty, dependence on agriculture and natural resources, and uncertainty, villagers evolved ways of working together for common benefits that are based on mutual trust and reciprocity, which are important rural livelihood contributions to forest conservation in Bhutan. The country consisted of self reliant and self subsistent communities, possessing well defined community based rules and institutions to facilitate the use of common resources. |
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Rules for Management
of the Institution |
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(a) Boundary Rules |
| Spacial Boundaries: Forest resources within village boundaries comprised broadly of two categories based on the presence or absence of regulated management. Unregulated forests and locally regulated forests Social Boundaries |
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(b) Governance
rules |
| The most commonly noted institution for regulating forest resources are the institutions of Reesup and Meesup. The Reesup has the task of ensuring fair allocation of forest resources especially timber and at the same time playes the role of forest guard in ensuring that community individuals do not abuse forest resources by appropriating without his/ her knowledge. Meesup has the responsibility of watching out for forest fires, to mobilize community people to fight the fire and to identify the culprit for legal action. The chhupon has the role of ensuring that there is enough water in the irrigation canal and that they are equitably distributed if there is scarcity. A zhingsungpa or thangsungpa mainly has the responsibility of watching out for livestock especially cattle foraging in cropped fields belonging to any village member and to sanction fines (in terms of grains) on those households who let their livestock astray in the agricultural fields. |
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(c) Resource Allocation |
| Forest resources within village boundaries comprised broadly of two categories based on the presence or absence of regulated management. Unregulated forests: Those forest areas within villages boundaries in which no formal regulations pertainng to access, appropriation or management existed or exist. Governed by the practice of Bon religion, local beliefs and myths about guardian deities residing in the elements of nature that may affect human behavior and interaction with them. Locally regulated forests: The management of locally regulated forests includes areas in the forests that were utilized for cattle grazing (known as Tsamdrogs), worship of local deities, collection of fuel wood, timber, leaf litter (sokshings) and other important products. |
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Conflict Resolution Mechanism |
| Not mentioned |
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Problems Faced by Institution |
| Not mentioned |
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Changes in the Institution over time |
| The political economy and forest management in Bhutan evolved during three eras. The pre monarchy era represented by the emergence of religio-political leaders and petty rulers (before 1907) under whom burdening taxation and associated social settings reduced incentives for acquisition of wealth. The era beginning with the establishment of monarchy in 1907 till the 1950s represents a transition period during which the burdening in-kind taxation persisted as a limited option to nation building. The third era from 1950s onwards marked increasing government interest in social reform and resource management that became increasingly formalized and regulated leading to nationalization of forests in 1969 |
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Purpose |
| To facilitate and regulate the use of common resources |
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Country |
| Bhutan |
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Region |
| Bhutan |
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Date Of Publication |
| RS-11-14/07/2003 |
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