Spatial Variability and Disincentives to Harvest: Deforestation and Fuelwood Collection in South Asia

Gunnar Köhlin, Peter J. Parks, Edward B. Barbier and Joanne C. Burgess

Abstract

A major strategy to combat deforestation caused by household fuel collection has been the establishment of plantations, especially in India. A household model is specified with a number of collection possibilities and analyzed empirically using household, vegetation, and GIS data, and the potential decrease in collection from the natural forest is estimated. The results show reduced pressure on the natural forest due to the establishment of plantations. It also questions buffer zone plantations very close to natural forests. (JEL Q23)