Dilemmas and challenges in forest conservation and development interventions: Case of Northwest Pakistan

Conservation and development projects are key instruments of international development agencies for natural resource conservation and rural development. However, despite some success stories, conservation of natural resources (particularly forests) in conjunction with socio-economic development – which is the precondition for sustainable development – remained a challenge in most of the developing countries. In Pakistan, too, natural forests in the Northwestern highlands continue to be depleted in spite of numerous interventions, by the international donors, to conserve the remaining forests. This paper uses a sustainable development perspective, and attempts to study the quest by the forest conservation and development interventions – initiated by the overseas development aid – regarding operationalisation of sustainable development as conceived by the projects' implementing agencies and thereby comparing it with local implementation context in terms of perceived impact/usefulness, and participation of stakeholders in the projects. This paper argues that, without considering socio-economic realities at micro (village) level, one cannot envisage the success of conservation and development interventions by considering only structural and meso (national/regional) levels. Forestry should be seen in a multi-stakeholder scenario where various actors have different claims and entitlements over forest resources. Major challenge for international development donors is to ensure a balance of power between stakeholders.

Research highlights
► The paper underlines the gaps between sustainable development agenda of conservation interventions and local realities.
► Success of forest conservation and development interventions remains uncertain if micro level realities are not considered.
► Emphasis on conservation approach and lack of attention to development aspects is dilemma with most of the interventions.
► Forestry should be seen in a multi-stakeholder scenario where various actors have different claims and entitlements.
► Major challenge for international donors is to ensure a balance of power between stakeholders at different levels.