’The site strikes back’: multi-level forest governance and participation in northern Finland

• Main Author: Sarkki, S. (Simo)
• Other Authors: Heikkinen, H. (Hannu I.), Nuttall, M. (Mark), Hiedanpää, J. (Juha)
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Oulun yliopisto 2011
• Subjects: ENGOs; applied environmental anthropology; commercial forests; local livelihoods; multi-level environmental governance; participation; protected areas; monikerroksinen ympäristöhallinta; osallistuminen; paikalliset elinkeinot; soveltava ympäristöantropologia; suojelualueet; talousmetsät; ympäristöjärjestöt; Faraway; Inari; Malla; Muonio; Oulanka; Northern Finland; Lapland
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514296932

Abstract New forms of environmental governance are implemented with promises associated with more flexible and participatory decision-making. However, resistance towards these ways of doing decisions occurs also in relation to forests in northern Finland. This thesis seeks to explain this resistance and to discuss how participation in the context of multi-level environmental governance can be enhanced. A combination of anthropological fieldwork methods and concepts from environmental politics is used to create a bottom-up research strategy to examine forest governance. Based on theme interviews, planning documents and press releases of various actors, this thesis identifies problems for hybrid forest governance modes, which combine State, market, and civil society actors in decision-making processes. Based on selected topical case studies regarding state-owned commercial forests in Inari, Forest Lapland, Muonio, and Liperinsuo three different governance modes are identified: a State-based mode with a participatory dimension and two ‘pressure’ modes taking place via market-based campaigns of environmental NGOs and local protests. Concerning the protected areas, namely Malla Strict Nature Reserve and the Pallas-Ylläs and Oulanka national parks, one governance mode is identified as taking place on the vertical park managements — international conservation agencies — local resource users axis. A major explanation for resistance towards the different governance modes is that decision-making processes neglect site-specifics. Related problems include missing stakeholders, lack of site-specific discussions in planning processes, generalised concepts used in standardisation practices, engagement of ‘faraway’ stakeholders in decision processes, and lack of transparency. As a result, ‘the site strikes back’ responses, i.e. pressure campaigns, protests, opposition, and rumours have emerged. In order to mitigate resistance, this thesis proposes ways to enhance participation and deliberation in forest governance. However, the ...