Resources

Examines the distinction between tree and land tenure, and the significance of this for forestry and other development projects. The use of rapid appraisals is discussed, with a range of techniques from the use of secondary documents and exisitng legal systems, to the discovery of informal rights. Discusses the sensitivity of tenure information, and importance of individual and group interviews, and sketch maps. The emphasis is on the importance of rights, particularly women's rights, to trees and tree products. Tenure rights may vary between individual holdings, the commons (where community rights and organisations are important) and Forest reserves. Predominantly RRA, even some questionaire use.

Pwani is a resettlement community located in a difficult environment adjacent to Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya. This case study describes how a PRA-derived village level plan of action has helped to mobilise the community to solve its own problems of water access and related forestry and vegetation problems. The report outlines the process and methods used in the PRA, and discusses some of the lessons learned.

A basic introduction to the techniques that could be used in participatory monitoring and evaluation. Outlines the development and utility of participatory monitoring and evaluation as of the late 1980's, and how it has evolved for use in community forestry projects. The methods used (community selection and community problem analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation) are discussed, including specific evaluation events and the methods for dissemination and communication of results. Finally, some of the tools used are given, with an overview of their main characteristics, uses and drawbacks. While these tools are not termed PRA in this report, they are the same as tools used at the participatory appraisal stage.

This brief article outlines how Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (PAME) can be used in the context of gender and community forestry. PAME consists of three interlinked and complementary components: 1) Idea, the 'idea' is that the field staff are facilitators or catalysts rather than directors; 2) Methods, this consists of 'assessment', usually conducted by local people who identify and prioritise their problems, 'monitoring' conducted throughout implementation through recording information decided by local people, and 'evaluation' which takes place after activities have begun to ascertain whether objectives have been or are being achieved; 3) Tools, twenty three 'tools' are said to be available that take gender and environment into consideration. Three examples are given - 'drawing and discussion', 'historical mapping' and 'community environmental assessment'. The PAME approach reverses traditional development approaches because analyses is done by the community rather than outside experts. Focus groups with women offer an opportunity to focus on gender and environment as related issues.

Documents a process of community development through PRA, discusses the advantages of the use of PRA, particularly through local community members. The use of a number of techniques are documented, including spatial (maps and transects) and temporal (time and trend lines, seasonal calendars) data as well as numerous ranking excercises. A community action plan was produced, and the methods by which the community began to implement this are given. Attempts to demonstrate that PRA by communities can initiate long term development providing lasting strength and cohesion. A number of illustrations are included.

Appendix 2: This appendix discusses the comparative advatages and complementarity between RRA and formal surveys. The surveys examined local forest use, forest products and other aspects relating to community forests such as rights and access. In terms of listing forest products, the findings from RRA and formal survey showed no significant differences in terms of data coverage (RRA 23 interviewees compared with 215 in the formal survey). RRA was found to be a better research methodology in dealing with sensitive issues such as land tenure and government-owned forest areas. RRA is recommended as a rapid means to refute irrelevant hypotheses and start focusing on the major factors. (p. 61-64)

An RRA was conducted by a four person team in Freetown, Sierra Leonne and surrounding villages. Previously a statistical survey had been conducted by a different group of researchers in the same area. As well as the main academic objective of comparing the results of an RRA with a statistical survey, the practical objective was to provide an information for an FAO fuelwood project. A variety of PRA methods were used: key informant interviews, mapping, trading flow diagrams and preference pair ranking (of tree species). The results of the study were presented in the form of flow diagrams representing the volume of fuelwood traded and the major participants. The RRA results are compared with the preliminary results of the statical survey (278 questions). There were many similar findings but also some important differences. It is concluded that "RRA is a far more appropriate and accurate way to collect socio-ecological information for social forestry projects."