Description: The “Regional Initiative for the Development and Implementation of National Level Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Asia” identified 8 national level criteria and 49 indicators for dry forests in Asia.
Initiated: FAO/UNEP/ITTO/IIFM Expert Meeting; 30/11-/12/1999; Bhopal, India.
Member Countries(9): Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
www address: linked to http://www.apfcweb.org under “Activites”
Criteria and Indicators:
Regional Initiative for the Development and Implementation of National Level CRITERIA AND INDICATORS for the Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Asia[1]
Criterion 1: Extent of forest and tree cover
Indicators:
1.1 Area of natural and man-made forests
1.2 Area of dense, open and, scrub forest
1.3 Area under trees outside forest
1.4 Forest area diverted for non-forestry use
1.5 Extent of encroachment in forest areas
Criterion 2: Maintenance of ecosystem health and vitality
Indicators:
2.1 Extent of natural regeneration
2.2 Extent of secondary forests
2.3 Extent of forest area under: obnoxious weeds, pests and diseases of epidemic proportions
2.4 Extent of forest area affected by: grazing, fire, storms, floods, droughts, wind
Criterion 3: Maintenance and enhancement of bio-diversity
Indicators:
3.1 Extent of protected areas
3.2 Number of, threatened, keystone, flagship and endemic species of plants and animals
3.3 List of flora and fauna
3.4 Degree of non-destructive harvest
3.5 Percentage of cover by forest type and/or species
3.6 Existence of mechanisms for the conservation of genetic resources
Criterion 4: Conservation and enhancement of soil and water resources and other environmental functions
Indicators:
4.1 Extent of watershed areas under management
4.2 Area under shelter and green belts
4.3 Duration of stream-flow and water yield
4.4 Extent/degree of soil erosion
4.5 Change in level of water table
4.6 Change in sediment load
Criterion 5: Maintenance and enhancement of forest productivity
Indicators:
5.1 The extent of forest area under forest management plans
5.2 Changes in growing stock of wood and NWFPs
5.3 Difference between annual allowable and actual cuts
5.4 Annual NWFP removal/extraction
5.5 Area of afforestation and new plantations including agroforestry
5.6 Degree of technological inputs
5.7 Contribution of forest to GDP through total economic value
Criterion 6: Extent of forest resource utilisation
Indicators:
6.1 Per capita wood and non-wood forest produce consumption
6.2 Import and export of wood and non-wood forest products
6.3 Recorded and unrecorded removals of wood and NWFPs
Criterion 7: Socio-economic, cultural and spiritual needs
Indicators:
7.1 The Degree of contribution of forest management activities to food security including other livelihood needs
7.2 Level of recreation, cultural, religious and aesthetic needs
7.3 Gender Related Indices in Forestry (GDI in HDR of UNDP)
7.4 Degree of application of traditional knowledge
7.5 Direct and indirect employment in forestry and forest industries
7.6 Contribution of forest to the income of forest dependent people
Criterion 8: Policy, legal and institutional framework
Indicators:
8.1 Existence of national forest policy and legal framework
8.2 Extent of community, NGO and private sector participation in forestry activities
8.3 Investment in forestry research and development
8.4 Human resource capacity building mechanisms
8.5 Existence of forest resource accounting mechanisms
8.6 Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
8.7 Existence of mechanisms for information dissemination
8.8 Existence of transfer of technology
8.9 Fiscal and monetary incentives for investing in forestry activity
8.10 Benefit sharing mechanism for stakeholders engaged in forest management activities
8.11 Existence of conflict management mechanisms
8.12 Changes in number of forest offence
Source: Anon. 1999. Regional Initiative for the Development and Implementation of National Level Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Asia. “Workshop on National-Level Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Aia/Suth Aia” organised by FAO/UNEP/ITTO Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India. 30 November - 3 December 1999.
