Concluding comments and policy implications
The objective with this study is to investigate how different
household characteristics, and policy related variables affect the
individual household's willingness to engage in forest conservation
activities in Burkina Faso The data we use consist of household data
from 4 villages surrounding the National Kabore Tambi Park in
Burkina Faso. The data set contains information about actual choices,
as well as personal (household) characteristics, socio-economic
variables, and subjective perceptions concerning among other things
long-term land use rights. The data is used in a multinomial model
framework in order to estimate the effects of the various variables on
the probability to engage in forest conservation and forest protection
activities.
The results from the statistical analysis show that the participation
by household members in forest conservation activities is mainly
determined by the three variables that are related to policy: membership
in community based forest management associations, security
of land use rights, and training. With respect to the household characteristic
variables, the only significant effects are that migrants are
less likely to participate in forest surveillance, and that an increase in
household size decreases the participation in community work.
The results suggest thus that improving training will increase the
probability of participating in community work and forest surveillance.
The current training programs focus only on forest conservation
practices. To be more efficient it should focus on increasing people's
knowledge about the benefits due to conservation and the threats
resulting from the lack of forest management. Other results that may
have important policy implications are the significant effects of the
variables “land security perception” and “migrant status”. According
to the results improving land use right security would increase farmer's
willingness to participate in community work and forest surveillance,
whereas being a migrant decreases the likelihood to
participate in these activities. Given these last conclusions, particular
attention should be paid to the prevailing system of land rights and its
incentives, or disincentives, for promoting sustainable management of
the forest resource.