Promising approaches to natural forest management in Latin America

Presentation of two projects on sustainable forest management. Economic, social and ecological aspects are described. Film demonstrates how timber and non-timber products can be extracted while maintaining forest cover and avoiding serious damage to biodiversity. Proposed policy recommendations: 1. Need for security of land tenure, 2. Good sustainable management practices, 3. Lending policies favoring natural forest land use. Technical recommendations: 1. Vertical integration: harvesting, processing, marketing, 2. Demonstration projects, 3. Cultural sensitivity.