Conserving The World's Forests

New Report shows indigenous and local groups now control 25 percent of developing world's forests.

March 7, 2002—The fate of the world's forests is inextricably linked to the fate of more than 500 million of the world's poorest people living in and around forested areas, according to a report released today by two of the world's leading forestry organizations. The report finds that when forest communities have the opportunity to generate income by marketing forest products and services, they are motivated to protect their forest assets.