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Impacts, efficiency, and appropriateness of community-based natural resources management interventions in three selected villages in Timor-Leste
Dissertation Abstract:
To combat the alarming rate of deforestation in Timor-Leste, several Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programs have been implemented. However, none have assessed the impacts, efficiency, and cultural appropriateness of CBNRM by comparing communities employing CBRNM programs versus those that are not.
Thus, the study conducted a comparative analysis among three (3) villages with and without CBNRM. Specifically, the study assessed the current natural resources management practices of households in the villages; evaluated the factors influencing the impacts, efficiency, and cultural appropriateness of PLUP as a CBNRM intervention; and recommended strategies in the CBNRM program to improve the living conditions of the community participants in the target village.
A survey was conducted among 523 respondents. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and cost-benefit analysis. Based on the analysis, the absence of a program in Namoleso resulted in the adoption of traditional and unsustainable farming practices, while the use of the program in Fadabloco and Batara transformed their farming practices into more sustainable approaches. The villages with CBNRM showed substantial improvements in the governance and administrative system and gained higher benefits compared with the Namoleso village, in terms of ecological, economic, socio-cultural, commercial, and recreational gains. The village without CBNRM had insufficient productivity, employment, livelihood opportunities, and credit assistance availability. Likewise, the lack of CBNRM resulted in poor knowledge of the importance and benefits of the program, duties, and responsibilities as beneficiary, landuse mapping, privileges, training, responsible and sustainable land use, protection and conservation of natural resources, climate change, and mitigation of risks from disasters.
One of the salient findings of the study is the strategic potential of incorporating ritual ceremony and customary law into Participatory Land Use Planning in enhancing the impact, efficiency, and cultural appropriateness of CBNRM. Customary leaders along with their natural resource management practices and customary prohibitions for natural resource protection played a crucial role in the successful implementation of CBNRM. Specifically, their application of the Tara Bandu ritual ceremony in controlling the depletion of natural resources in Timor-Leste has a positive impact on CBNRM implementation. Hence, this study concludes that either partial or full implementation of CBNRMP can improve the living conditions of the community, particularly when supported by the customary laws and rituals of the community.