The Role of Forest Policy in Sustainable Forest Management: Case study of Elgedaref State (Central East of Sudan)

Recognizing the importance of forest resources and the need for appropriate measures to optimize their management and utilization in Sudan; this research was carried out to fulfill the objective of assessing the suitability and appropriateness of policies to sustainable forest management. Three areas were selected (Elrawashda, Darelzain and Sarf Saaid) all were located in Elgedaref State Central East of Sudan. Research methods applied were: a social survey where a questionnaire was designed to collect primary data for implementation of policies and their role in sustainable forest management. This method was followed by participants observations, participatory rapid appraisal and review of the documentary sources. The questionnaire was administered to 150 households randomly selected from three areas with a sample size of 10 % of the total population. Results showed that most of the forest policies have failed to address the fundamental challenges of forest management in the study area. The conversion of forests to farmlands, weak institutional and governance structures, and ineffective involvement of relevant stakeholders were not properly addressed. Lack of political will and commitment, weaknesses in the implementation and enforcement of laws and standard practices, and lack of transparency significantly encouraged unsustainable harvesting of forest resources and illegal logging. The study recommended forest community members should be actively engaged in co-managing forest resources under a regime of very clear responsibility for protecting them from excessive exploitation. Another important aspect for the development and sustainability of the forest resources is rational land use policies. It also recommended an effective placing of forest resources management in the core of Sudan development agenda.