4. Forest Governance, Policy, Conflict Timber and Illegal Logging

This folder contains both background country case studies related to conflicts over resources, as well as the impacts of major or armed conflict that serve to destabilize governance. Assessment tools focused on individual resources (or sector) are also availalbe.

Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa Volume III African Cases

well as shorter, comparative desk studies of conflict timber in several other countries—among them Liberia. The latter country is clearly the “poster child” of African conflict timber. The country’s president, Charles Taylor, has authorized logging concessionaires to harvest timber which he has then exchanged with external partners to obtain the means of war—light arms, helicopter parts, etc. These transactions have involved both timber sales, typically of raw logs, as well as logs bartered directly in exchange for arms. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been a prominent Liberian barter partner in the recent past. Taylor has used the timber-based military resources he has acquired to maintain his power at home and to pursue wars against Liberia’s immediate neighbors (Sierra Leone, Guinea and, most recently, the Ivory Coast). prepared in 2004 by ARD.

Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa Volume II Asian Cases

OVERVIEW OF CONFLICT TIMBER IN ASIA The Indonesian country case study and nine desk studies included in this volume document the ways conflict timber currently poses critical problems in several Asian countries, notably Indonesia, Burma, Nepal, Vietnam and, to a lesser extent, Afghanistan. Conflicts financed by timber or conflicts over control of forests and forest resources have often erupted in violence. Indonesia counts the most active conflict timber incidents in today’s Asia—there, conflict timber deaths, injuries and destruction of property are nearly daily events. prepared in 2004 by ARD.

Growing Conflict and Unrest in Indonesian Forests: A Summary Paper

This report summarizes an in-depth case study of Indonesia found in the publication: Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa. Volume II, Asian Cases. Summary Report prepared by ARD and presented October 2004.

Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa Volume I Synthesis Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Conflict timber—conflict financed or sustained through the harvest and sale of timber (Type 1), or conflict emerging as a result of competition over timber or other forest resources (Type 2)—poses serious problems in many countries in Asia and Africa. While forest resources, particularly timber, are far from the only commodities that spark or finance conflicts, they have certainly played a considerable role in sustaining many conflicts in these regions. This diagnostic analysis of Conflict Timber: Dimensions of the Problem in Asia and Africa, jointly commissioned by USAID/DCHA/OTI and USAID/ANE/TS, was designed in response to the growing recognition of the connection between forests, logging and conflict. The primary objective of the analysis was to provide a comprehensive examination of the economic, ecological, political, social and security dimensions of conflict timber in both Asia and Africa. In addition, the Team was also asked to conduct the analysis in a way that would broaden and deepen the understanding of conflict timber within USAID. Final Report Submitted to the United States Agency for International Development Prepared in 2004 by ARD.

Forest Conflict in Asia: Undermining Development and Security

Why is Forest Conflict Important? Incidents of Violent conflict over forest resources and forestland are widespread in the developing countries of Asia and are reported in the news media daily. Forest conflict indermines attempts to improve fovernance, retards economic development, impoverishes rural people, and impairs key environmental functions.... Breifing paper prepared by ARD, 2004.