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Institutions Surrounding the Use of Marketed Bark Products: 
The Case of Berchemima Discolor, Warburgia salutaris and Adansonia Digitatta 
By B Mukamuri and W.Kozanayi
Price:  [Z$210]

Case 1:  Adansonia Digitata Bark Stripping and Institutional Arrangements in Eastern
Zimbabwe

This work investigated whether institutional arrangements were responsible for
different partners of commercialization of a non-timber forest product (NTFP) and
whether the rapid rise in commercialization was resulting in change in institutional arrangements.  The case study material baobab (Adansonia digitata) bark in two
village clusters in eastern Zimbabwe.  The village clusters are close to each other
but are characterized by different levels of bark utilization.  Baobab bark stripping is
largely linked to the background of the settlers (or local people) and knowledge
and religious affiliation of the craft producers.  There were no significant differences
between the villages in the rules and institutions related to the management of
baobab trees.  Both state and traditional rules have had little impact in ensuring the sustainability of harvesting and commercialization of this common property resource. 
As the local rules were not developed in the context of  the rapid rise in
commercialization of the baobab bark, they have little role to play in the new
situation and there is nor evidence that the local rules are being adopted or that
new rules are being developed to cater for the new situation.  The evidence that
the local rules are being adopted or that new rules are being developed to cater
for the new situations.  The new commercial context has indicated clearly that the
local rules are not enforced to any degree to control the harvesting. 

Case 2:  Socio-Economic Issues Related to Warburgia Salutaris:  A Powerful Medicinal
Plant in Zimbabwe

There is a good potential to domesticate high value non-timber forest products. 
With the demise of Warbugia salutaris the opportunities for planting have arisen. 
However, medicinal plants are closely connected with the spiritual world and thus
tree planting needs to be carefully implemented.  African healers believe that
Warburgia salutaris treats a plethora of ailments and the tree has a high
commercial value on the informal herbal market.  Warburgia salutaris is threatened
with  extinction in Zimbabwe.  The collapse of traditional institutions during the last
two decades, coupled by high demand for the bark on the informal herbal market,
has contributed to the decline in the number of known Warbugia trees.  Possibilities
for increasing the tree’s population include appropriate institutional arrangements
and planting.  However, a danger with the planting of such a highly valued plant
may be that the elite get access to the planted trees, as the poor and
non-herbalist’s fail to get access to the seedlings.

Case 3:  Craft Production and Management of Berchemia Discolor:  A Case Study of
Kariangwe Ward, Binga District

Bergemia discolor, locally known as Mwii (Tonga) and Nyii (Shona), is a high value
non-timber forest product.  Bark from Berchemia discolor is processed into a dye
use to decorate crafts such as baskets, mats and hats.  In the past the crafts were
used as traditional household goods and sometimes were used during cultural
events such as marriages and traditional ceremonies.  Recently, the crafts have
been heavily commercialized and are sold to tourists.  Though substitutes exist,
craft producers continue to prefer dye made from Berchemia disolor bark.
The case study was conducted in Binga District which supplies baskets to a wel l
organized international market.  In Binga there are clubs, co-operatives and individuals who make and sell crafts in large quantities.  The issue being addressed in this paper is whether bark harvesting is sustainable in respect of management and institutional arrangements.  Our hypothesis is that commercialization of bark products leads to the depletion of Berchemia discolor.  Recent studies indicate that most of the rural institutions in Zimbabwe are weak due to a number of social and economic forces.  Local traditional leadership has been weakened and this could have severe repercussions for resource management.  The various arms of the state play almost no role  in the use and management of Berchmia.  Though there is a CAMPFIRE programme in the area its focus is largely on large game species.  A key institution working with craft produces, the Binga Craft Centre, has not had much impact on ensuring resource sustainability.

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