Evaluation of the impact of the natural forest protection program on rural household livelihoods

Environ Manage. 2010 Mar;45(3):513-25. doi: 10.1007/s00267-009-9288-6. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

In this study, we estimated the impact on local household livelihoods of the Natural Forest Protection Program (NFPP), which is the largest logging-ban program in the world, which aims to protect watersheds and conserve natural forests. In doing so, we used a series of microeconometric policy-evaluation techniques to assess the impacts of the NFPP on two interrelated facets of household livelihoods: income and off-farm labor supply. We found that the NFPP has had a negative impact on incomes from timber harvesting but has actually had a positive impact on total household incomes from all sources. Furthermore, we found that off-farm labor supply outside the village has increased more rapidly in NFPP than in non-NFPP areas. Based on these results, policy implications for household livelihoods were drawn and are presented herein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / economics*
  • China
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / economics*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
  • Ecosystem*
  • Employment
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Forestry / economics*
  • Humans
  • Models, Econometric
  • Public Policy*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Water Movements
  • Workforce