Title: Entitlement inequalities and forest sustainability in Côte d'Ivoire

Authors: Kouamékan J-M. Koffi; Kouadio B. Komena; Jérôme Ballet

Addresses: UMI Résiliences (IRD-CIRES), Ivorian Economic and Social Research Center, University of Bouaké, 08 BP 1295 Abidjan 08, Côte d'Ivoire, France ' UMI Résiliences (IRD-CIRES), Ivorian Economic and Social Research Center, University of Bouaké, 08 BP 1295 Abidjan 08, Côte d'Ivoire, France ' UMI Résiliences (IRD-CIRES), 32 Avenue Henri Varagnat, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France; University of Bordeaux, Avenue Léon Duguit, 33608 Pessac Cedex, France

Abstract: Socioeconomic inequalities are now analysed in relation to the management of natural resources. One particular form of inequality is inequality of endowments or rights. This affects access to resources. In this paper we show that the deforestation occurring in Côte d'Ivoire can be understood through the inequalities that have determined access to land, and the reaction strategies displayed by individuals in this context. The emergence of numerous land conflicts in recent years is the result of inequalities in access to land.

Keywords: capability; Côte d'Ivoire; deforestation; entitlement inequalities; rights; endowments; forest sustainability; socioeconomic inequality; rural populations; sustainable development; forests; forestry; resource management; natural resources; land conflicts; access to land.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2015.070236

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2015 Vol.18 No.3, pp.180 - 194

Received: 06 Apr 2013
Accepted: 05 Oct 2013
Published online: 01 Jul 2015 *

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