Rights-based approaches to forest conservation

Rights-based approaches (RBA) to conservation, including forest conservation, are being increasingly advocated – and sometimes contested. This article unpacks some of the issues behind these approaches, many of which are dealt with in greater detail in other articles in this issue of arborvitae. There are a number of different views of rights as they apply to conservation. A great deal of emphasis has been placed on tenure rights – rights to access and use resources – which we will look at in a moment. But first, let’s consider some more ‘fundamental’ rights