CONFLICTS AROUND FOREST RESERVES IN ZIMBABWE - WHAT PROSPECTS FOR COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT

Due to the failure of the post-independent state to address the land i nequities of the colonial era, conflicts over land resources are preva lent in Zimbabwe. This is particularly the case in and around state fo rest reserves. Recognising these conflicts, the Zimbabwe Forestry Comm ission has been exploring possibilities of co-management arrangements for forest reserves. This article examines one such pilot programme, e xploring its historical origins in both national an local debates abou t forest policy. The way historical experiences of forest management i mpinge on current thinking are highlighted, including how these feed i nto the contrasting perceptions of the ecological, economic and social values of forest resources of officials and local people. Major: soci al differences among communities surrounding forest areas mean that lo cal perceptions are highly varied. Given this context, the prospects f or co-management arrangements where forest resources are shared are di scussed.