Authors : Rakotoniana Jacquelin; Ramamonjisoa Lolona; Razafimandimby Harizoly; Rakotobe Hasina Andriantsiory; Razafindrakoto Andriamanalina Notsimbinina; Solofoson Georges

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4d62nyr9

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug1314

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Community-based forest management has become one of the principal instruments of Madagascar's forest policy for reconciliation biodiversity conservation with the improvement of rural livelihoods. Within this framework , the Contractual Forest Management system (Gestion Contractualisée des Forêts – GCF) delegates part of the responsibility for forest governance to Local Community Organizations ( Vondron'Olona) Ifotony – VOI). Nevertheless , the continued occurrence of illegal timber exploitation in forests under community management raises important questions regarding the effectiveness of existing institutional arrangements. This study examines how deficiencies in the implementation of community forest governance mechanisms influence the illegal exploitation of timber forest products within the Andringitra – Ivohibe Forest Corridor, southeastern Madagascar. The research combines documentary analysis of official management records, including management plans, local conventions (dina), infraction reports, sanction registers , and activity reports, with field surveys conducted among 178 households and 36 leaders from four Local Community Organizations . Governance performance indicators were calculated and subsequently analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the relationships between governance implementation and the intensity of illegal forest exploitation. The findings reveal substantial institutional weaknesses, including incomplete implementation of management plans, limited enforcement of local regulations and sanctions, irregular participation of community members, and the limited success of income-generating activities intended to reduce pressure on forest resources. The multivariate analysis demonstrates that thesis governance deficiencies are strongly associated with increased illegal harvesting of commercial timber , whereas the exploitation of fuelwood remains primarily driven by household subsistence needs and persistent rural poverty . Thesis findings suggest that strengthening institutional enforcement alone is insufficient to ensure sustainable forest management. Rather, effective community forestry requires a balanced strategy that combines robust governance mechanisms with economic viable alternatives capable of reducing local dependence on forest resources, thereby supporting the theoretical perspectives advanced by Ostrom and Berkes.

Keywords : Community Forest Governance; Contractual Forest Management; Illegal Timber Exploitation; Timber Forest Products; Local Community Organizations (VOI); Madagascar.

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