Resource Management under Traditional Tenure : The Political Ecology of a Contemporary Problem, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands

IR (HANDLE) Web Site

Search this article

Description

High rates of population growth, increased competition for access to resources, growing strains on traditional tenure systems and the wish to improve standards of living combine to threaten the tenor of everyday life. The need to maintain the environment, a reliable supply of food for domestic consumption and a continuing flow of cash income makes it necessary to plan for a better future. Largely because people cannot agree on how to resolve tenure problems their ability to manage resources is limited. Oral rules and histories which provide the basis of tenurial rights to land and reefs are often confused and easily manipulated. Customary modes of conflict resolution are not strong enough to settle matters under dispute. Solutions imposed by the courts are frequently subject to appeal resulting in continuing litigation and mounting frustration. Is there a way out ? In this paper it is argued that communities have all the capabilities required to find their own solutions. Decision making can be assisted by outsiders working as catalysts. Researchers working with tenure holders on resource problems can help assemble information for immediate feedback into communities which can help people make better decisions about planning for sustainable development.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top