State, society and timber mafia in forest conservation

This research looks into problematique of collusive corruption between the state and timber mafia (groups of different actors involved in illegal logging). The corruption in forestry has been understood as an institutional problem and resolution has been proposed through regulatory measures. In Pakistan’s context the state has intervened through different policy and regulatory measures, albeit, illegal logging continues. The state and timber mafia are seen as two separate entities that compete or collude with each other for personal benefits. By taking Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project as a case in point, this study explains that corruption in forestry sector in Pakistan exists as complex social networks of different state and non-state actors. These actors have dynamic and fluid identities, thus the binary between ‘public’ and ‘private’ is blurred. The social networks are driven by not just economic interests but also ‘logics of sociality’; payments and favours based on cultural, familial and social norms. Local power relations and politics play an important role in these networks for resource capturing. Furthermore, I show how the power relations result in inclusion of some sections of society in conservation practices, while marginalizing others.