This article aims to analyze natural resource management policies in Benin. Natural resources in Benin play an important role for the livelihood of the population. The management policies of these natural resources involve several actors at different levels. This sector has also undergone several reforms with changes in intervention approaches from colonial times to the present day. Current reforms involving private organizations born of dissatisfaction with previous reforms lead us to question the governance of these resources. By adopting the perspective of the theory of environmental justice, we have analyzed natural resource management policies in Benin. The results of our study show that natural resource management in Benin provides mainly procedural justice, justice that does not guarantee sustainable management. The distributive justice that is fundamental in this management is poorly considered. This study suggests empirical research to determine the links between justice, feelings of justice of the populations and social changes observed especially, the specific cases of the agro-pastoral communities.

This chapter encompasses a literature survey and strategic analysis to understand the elaboration and implementation of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in Benin, with a focus on the case of the “Forêt des Trois Rivières”. By analyzing the historical background of forest management systems in Benin, we highlighted two major turning points. The first relates to the creation and autocratic management of protected forests, which took place from 1940 to 1990. The second change took place after the Rio conference in 1992, and this emphasized the importance of local communities in natural resources management. Moreover, the results of our strategic analysis of stakeholders involved in the specific case of Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) of the “Forêt des Trois Rivières” showed that it is important to emphasize on active community participation while designing a participatory management plan and for decision making at the implementation stage. We also observed that alliances between foresters and timber loggers are likely to hinder the achievement of the PFM objectives.

This chapter encompasses a literature survey and strategic analysis to understand the elaboration and implementation of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in Benin, with a focus on the case of the “Forêt des Trois Rivières”. By analyzing the historical background of forest management systems in Benin, we highlighted two major turning points. The first relates to the creation and autocratic management of protected forests, which took place from 1940 to 1990. The second change took place after the Rio conference in 1992, and this emphasized the importance of local communities in natural resources management. Moreover, the results of our strategic analysis of stakeholders involved in the specific case of Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) of the “Forêt des Trois Rivières” showed that it is important to emphasize on active community participation while designing a participatory management plan and for decision making at the implementation stage. We also observed that alliances between foresters and timber loggers are likely to hinder the achievement of the PFM objectives.