Title: When inequalities of opportunities control the pressure on forestry resources: a comparison of two sites in the SAVA region of north-eastern Madagascar

Authors: Mahefasoa Randrianalijaona; Jérôme Ballet

Addresses: University of Antananarivo-Madagascar & UMI Resiliences, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 32 Avenue Henri Varagnat, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France ' UMI Resiliences, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 32 Avenue Henri Varagnat, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France; Fonds Pour la Recherche en Éthique Économique (FREE), Gretha, University of Bordeaux 4, France

Abstract: Inequalities can influence the management of natural resources via their impact on the ability of local populations to act collectively. From a theoretical standpoint, there is some ambiguity in the relationship between inequality and collective action intended to conserve the environment. From an empirical standpoint, it would appear that inequalities produce their effect through the intermediary of institutions, which could explain why different conclusions are reached linked to the variety of institutions involved. In this article we compare two forest-management sites in north-eastern Madagascar. We show that inequalities of opportunities are created via local institutions. Then local institutions devoted to conservation produce inequalities. But these inequalities are at the core of the conservation of natural resources. In our study inequalities are a means to control the pressure on resources.

Keywords: inequalities; natural resources; resource conservation; community-based conservation; opportunities; Madagascar; inequality of opportunity; forestry resources; forests; resource management; collective action; local institutions; forest management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2015.070235

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2015 Vol.18 No.3, pp.195 - 210

Received: 23 Feb 2013
Accepted: 03 Sep 2013

Published online: 01 Jul 2015 *

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