Abstract:
Sustainable forest management (SFM) principles emphasize the need for generation of socio-economic benefits for neighbouring communities, minimization of adverse effects and maintenance of good relations with the communities. Small scale plantations, such as category B and C state plantations in South Africa, contribute very little to the national economy. However, they have the potential to contribute significantly to livelihoods of rural communities through provision of wood, other non-timber products as well as generation of income through employment and participation in income generating activities. Assessing the socio-economic sustainability therefore provides the basis for monitoring compliance with SFM principles and prescription of appropriate interventions. Considering that state plantations have been scheduled for transfer to community-based entities, determination of the potential of alternative management types is vital. This study therefore assess the socio-economic sustainability of current management strategies in state plantations at Gaba and Rossbach in Limpopo province with the view of determining appropriate alternative management regimes using perceptions of local communities. Summated rating scales principles were applied by using likert scaling to acquire the perceptions of local communities through scoring of the indicators and verifiers. While the local community for Rossbach plantation was content with all indicators of socio-economic sustainability, the local community for Gaba plantation was discontent with provision of products and the plantation‟s contribution to their livelihoods. Both communities perceived joint forest management to be the optimal plantation management regime across all indicators of socio-economic sustainability while expressing total lack of confidence in managing the plantations communally. Although effective community engagement facilitates participation of local communities in plantation activities, the actual contribution to livelihoods depends on provision of tangible benefits particularly firewood from the plantations. Optimal socio-economic sustainability in the post-transfers era can be achieved through joint decision-making and formalized sharing of responsibilities and benefits between the communities and government.
