Land, conflict and community forestry in Fiji
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide background information on the land tenure and conflict issues surrounding sustainable forestry management initiatives on customary land in Fiji.
Design/methodology/approach
An investigation of literature on land tenure, forestry and related conflict is augmented by two short case studies of sustainable forest management initiatives and the challenges in their execution attributable to customary land issues.
Findings
Conflicts occur within resource owning communities, between communities and external parties and among external parties. Often conflicts are based on confusion over property rights related issues. Conflicts stemming from differing views on ownership, tenure and property rights within forest management in Fiji, have led to delayed implementation of critical environmental management plans, loss of economic benefits and disintegration within landowning (mataqali) units.
Research limitations/implications
The paper highlights the importance of actively addressing conflicts in community based natural resource management initiatives in order for Fiji to reap the full benefits of community forestry.
Practical implications
The paper provides a useful general review for both researchers and forestry practitioners.
Originality/value
By providing a general overview of sustainable forest management in Fiji, the paper provides essential background for the subsequent testing of conflict management tools and conflict transformation strategies within a customary context.
Keywords
Citation
Murti, R. and Boydell, S. (2008), "Land, conflict and community forestry in Fiji", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 6-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830810840336
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited