The implications of fire management and reforestation for economic development in East Nusa Tenggara

The livelihood of most of the population of Nusa Tenggara Timur depends on dryland agriculture, raising livestock and harvesting forest products. Much of the region's forests has been removed to satisfy the need for timber and fuelwood. This paper outlines the efforts made to prevent further deforestation by replanting with trees of high economic value. Uncontrolled burning from surrounding grasslands and within the forest has been a major setback to these efforts, and the authors discuss how the institution of more effective methods of fire management would aid the region's economic development.