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eNewsletter |
November 2001 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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A Model Forest...
by Eugene Lapointe
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Through
a recent invitation to go moose hunting, I discovered in my native country,
Canada, a fascinating and practical program implementing the principles of
Sustainable Use and Private Ownership. For years, IWMC has been advocating these
two basic principles as being the cornerstones of conservation and management of
our wild resources. The economic incentive provided to stakeholders through the
sustainable use of their resources cannot be matched by other motivation
factors.
My hunting trip took place in the southern part of the Province of Quebec,
Canada, in one of the areas designated in Canada, as "Model Forests".
The management for the exploitation of the resources is decided by a Governing
Board on which sit representatives of stakeholders, land owners, local
representatives, government officials, etc. The benefits of land use, such as
timber operations, maple syrup production, hunting, fishing, are shared in a
spirit of partnership, through a cooperative, regrouping those who have been
allocated the usufruct of the land.
Each partner feels directly concerned by the sustainability of such vast
resources, for the very simple reason that its exploitation has become a major
source of income for most families surrounding the area. As one share-cropper
told me: "This is our bread and butter for years to come. So we need to
take good care of it." The program of the Model Forests, started by the
Canadian Government in 1990, is now spread throughout several parts of Canada.
It is a magnificent management program for which the Canadian Government
should be commended for. However, let's hope that the Canadian delegation at the
next CITES meeting (COP12, Santiago, Chile, November 2002), will keep in mind
that, if such programs work for Canadians, it could also work in other parts of
the world. The mechanisms to achieve sustainable development are the same
wherever humans are found.
Developing countries should also be given the opportunity to implement
programs such as the Model Forests, with their own species and for the benefit
of their own people. But that may require a change of attitude from some
developed countries, including Canada.
By the way, I am pleased to say that my hunting trip was successful! 
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For further information about the Model Forests
visit their website at: mf.ncr.forestry.ca
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