Tenure and tenure reform

Governments, companies and local and indigenous communities are all vying for access to dwindling forest resources. Getting forest tenure reform right could make or break forests for future generations.


In many countries, uncertain tenure and overlapping rights leads to conflict and forest and land degradation, disproportionately affecting women, poor farmers and indigenous and traditional peoples. Clear and secure rights support local livelihoods and can help communities manage forest landscapes more sustainably. Securing rights to land and resources also supports equality and social and environmental justice.

CIFOR equips policy makers, practitioners and communities in countries at various stages of tenure reform with a deeper understanding of the key drivers, challenges and future consequences of different policy options.

Other topics you might be interested in

Forest management

CIFOR aims to address the factors that help or hinder rural people’s access to forest...

Learn more

Fire and haze

Once a cost-effective tool used by smallholder farmers to clear land, fire is becoming an...

Learn more