Outcomes - Mechanisms Of Public Involvement

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		Mechanisms Of Public Involvement

The site has been produced with financial support
from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

The Pskov Model Forest was among first forest projects in Russia to practically demonstrate community involvement in forestry decision making. Principles of building up relations with local residents, among others, include availability of information related to project activities, consideration for local interests, and cooperation in forest management planning.

A number of mechanisms and procedures for involving the community in forestry decision making have been tested since the project startup in 2000.

Brochure Public Involvement in Forest Planning >>

Public Hearings

Forest Club

PUBLIC HEARINGS


	Participants of the public hearings

The highlight of the Pskov Model Forest Program in 2002 was the Public Hearings, a forum of stakeholders that adopted the landscape ecological forest management plan for the model forest area.

Public hearings presented an innovation in the forestry decision making system. Public hearings were organized prior to the official approval procedure by the state forest inventory enterprise. The purpose of the public hearings was to bring to light interests of different stakeholders (a private forest company, public forest management authorities, local government, environmentalists and various community groups) and jointly to elaborate guidelines for the final version of the forest management plan given those interests.

Participants of public hearings in the Pskov Model Forest area represented groups of key stakeholders who benefited from forest resources one way or another. For the local community the forest was associated with healthy environment and recreation, so they were concerned about consequences of intensive use of forest resources in the area. A forest company with a long-term forest lease was interested in sustainable and profitable business. The state forest management unit (leskhoz) responsible for management of public forests wanted evidence that the company’s activities were in conformity with forest legislation and would not cause negative impacts on forests. Local government was concerned about stability of forest revenues and jobs for the local population. The hunting society was determined to conserve capercaillie mating grounds and other relevant areas.

The discussion during the public hearings resulted in adoption of one out of eight forest management scenarios that served as a compromise of various interest groups. This document of public consent was used for preparing an official management plan by the Northwest Forest Inventory Enterprise. Currently the projects partner company “STF-Strug” is working in accordance with this plan.

FOREST CLUB


	At a Forest Club meeting

	Discussion at a Forest Club meeting

In 2000 the Pskov Model Forest initiated establishment of a Forest Club as an ongoing community forum in the model forest area. The Forest Club presents an informal voluntary association of local residents who are socially active and interested in environmental issues and forestry. The Club is open for everybody willing to join in a discussion or common activity.

Club meetings are held twice a year with about 30 individuals attending. Among subjects under discussion are recent developments in the national forest sector, local environmental initiatives, updates of Pskov Model Forest’s activities and other topical issues. Through an open discussion club members work out a common attitude, which is communicated to broad community, authorities and business structures by mass media.

Public involvement in the discussion and solution of local issues related to forestry enables the project to

get the community’s feedback and incorporate
social issues in forest planning and management;
reduce social risks and conflicts in intensively
exploited forest areas;
get the community’s input in forestry decision
making process before official forest decisions
have been finalized;
enhance the level of environmental awareness;
raise the level of social responsibility for forests and forest management.

Photos by Sergey Bourmistrov (2), Elena Yablochkina (3, 4)