Forest and communities – Social forestry in Sabah

Forest and communities – Social forestry in Sabah
This chapter examines the role of social forestry in Sabah, Malaysia, as a key approach to linking forest conservation with community development. It highlights how social forestry initiatives—such as agroforestry, forest restoration, and joint forest management—help address challenges including land encroachment, shifting cultivation, and rural poverty. The chapter emphasizes the importance of community participation, Indigenous knowledge, and mechanisms such as free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in achieving sustainable forest management. While social forestry has improved livelihoods and forest protection, persistent challenges remain related to funding, land rights, and equitable benefit sharing, underscoring the need for integrated, inclusive, and long-term governance approaches.

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