Step 2. CF boundary negotiation, demarcation and mapping
Purpose: Identification of suitable uncontested site for community forestry through broad consultation and negotiation. Once identified, developing a clear community forest boundary on the ground and making a map which is approved and signed by neighbouring communities and by the Chief
Overview of the step
This step involves ‘ground truthing’ that the proposed community forestry site indeed satisfies the criteria for a community forest (stipulated in the text box in step 1). It identifies all relevant stakeholders who have an interest in or use the proposed site and ensures a full negotiation of the boundary both on a sketch map and finally in the forest itself. The forest boundary is physically mapped, GPS coordinates of the boundary taken, a map is produced and then signed by representatives of neighbouring communities and the chief to ensure the area is not contested. This map is a requirement for the subsequent community forestry agreement.
Summary Process
a) Identify all user groups, communities and stakeholders who have a claim over, interest in or use the forest.
b) Negotiate the agreed area for the community forest on a sketch map with stakeholders.
c) Enter the forest with representatives of key stakeholders and negotiate the agreed boundary, mark physical boundaries once agreed. Using GPS develop a boundary map.
d) Produce the map in the office using simple technology.
e) Get the map signed by neighbouring communities, Chief and any other concerned stakeholders
| Activity | Description | |
| a) | Identify all user groups, communities and stakeholders who have a claim over, interest in or use the forest. |
Conduct a participatory mapping exercise (See Annex 5 for guidance) to identify a proposed community forest site in accordance with site selection criteria (See text box in Step 1) with the village head man/men and key community representatives to identify all key forest user groups within the community, neighbouring communities and others with an interest or claim over the site. Also conduct a relationship mapping exercise (See Annex 6 for guidance) to identify any potential conflicts between stakeholders. Do not accept this sketch map by the target community as the proposed community forest, this has to be verified by neighbouring communities, forest users and other claimants |
| b) | Negotiate the agreed area for the community forest on a sketch map with stakeholders | Meet with forest user groups from within community or those residents in or around the forest to ensure they are informed and voluntarily support the introduction of a community forestry in the forest and are fully aware of the implications. Bring the sketch map and meet with neighbouring communities, traditional authorities and other interested parties to verify this is an uncontested site for a Community Forest. Be very careful to involve any other entities that have claims or interests, for example if the area is part of a Game Management Area (GMA), representatives must be engaged. Identify suitable representatives from the consultation meetings for the subsequent boundary negotiation and demarcation exercise. |
| c) | Enter the forest and negotiate the agreed boundary, mark physical boundaries once agreed using GPS and develop a boundary map | Call together representatives from forest users of the target community or communities, neighbouring communities, traditional authorities and other concerned parties to discuss the sketch map, see Annex (5 & 6). Where there is any disagreement on the boundary, try to find a compromise. Once agreement has been reached on the sketch map then plan out visits to the forest to mark out the boundary and identify from the representatives who needs to be present for which boundaries. During boundary negotiation in the forests, trees should only be marked once agreement has been reached on the boundary. If there is no agreement, no marks should be made, or if a key stakeholder is missing, no marks should be made. Often trees can be initially marked with a simple blaze mark, whilst GPS coordinates are taken. Later paint on trees, signs, fire break etc. especially where there is no physical boundary, can be added. |
| d) | Produce the map in the office using simple technology | Download data to computer using GPS software to develop simple map and print the map. Save the GPS data in a secure electronic file for future reference. Alternatively, save data and send file to the District Planning Officer, Provincial Planner or Provincial Forest Officer for further processing |
| e) | Get the map signed by neighbouring communities, Chief and any other concerned stakeholders | Bring copy of map to village head, neighbouring headmen, and finally the respective Chief for signing. File both electronic and hard copy of map for later CFMG and CF Agreement application. A map is a requirement for the recognition of the CFMG at the end of the next step and as an annex to the community forestry management plan to be submitted for the CF agreement |
Tip Box
- Refer to site selection guidance. Whilst going through this step, ensure that the guidance on selection on a CF site contained in a text box in Step 1 are consulted on.
- Never take the word of only the target community on the boundary of the community forest. Verification with neighbouring communities must always be done. Sometimes communities have used community forestry in an attempt to strengthen their claims over contested forest areas, so it is essential as early as possible to visit neighbouring communities, even if these have not been identified as ‘stakeholders’ by the target communities.
- Avoiding conflicts is better than managing them. Investing time and effort in good engagement of users, neighbouring communities and other entities with interests or claims over the proposed area BEFORE demarcation and mapping is done is essential to avoid problems later that could take years to solve. Therefore a few days invested to avoid these problems is time well spent.
- If the area remains contested do not impose Community Forestry. This step often requires good facilitation and mediation skills. This means that all viewpoints should be listened to. Where there is not consensus on an area, aim for compromise, give and take between different claims, find a boundary that is acceptable to both sides or reach an agreement to share the forest. However, after this if it is still not clear that the area is not uncontested, a solution should not be imposed. If an accommodation cannot be negotiated between concerned parties, this site might have to be left until a time the communities can reach an accommodation in the future. Never impose Community Forestry on a contested area, this will undoubtedly lead to a conflict. It is more efficient to simply move on to other areas that are not contested.
- Clearly explain what GPS is and the purpose of the map. Taking out an electronic gadget can arouse suspicion in communities. Carefully explain and demonstrate how GPS works and that the map produced will form part of the community forestry agreement, and that when the map is produced before it can be accepted it has to be signed by representatives of neighbouring communities and the chief.
Checklist of outputs
- Stakeholder identification done of all user groups, neighbouring communities and other stakeholders with claims or interests in the area.
- Sketch map drawn and agreed by representatives of all concerned stakeholders. Note that for the CFMG group recognition – See step 3 a sketch map is required, so this will suffice if the final GPS map is not produced in time for Step 3.
- Boundary of Community Forest negotiated in the forest with participation of representatives of concerned stakeholders and where necessary physical boundary marked and GPS coordinates taken
- Map developed and signed by neighbouring community representatives, any other concerned stakeholders and the Chief and both hard copy and electronic copy are filed along with all the coordinates
Relevant Annexes:
Annex 5. Participatory mapping exercise guidance.
Annex 6. Relationship mapping guidance.