We are increasingly faced with the realisation that our planet is reaching its limits when it comes to supporting the species that has probably had the greatest impact on its functions: humans. We have known for a long time that we are living in an environment with limited resources and that the way we live today cannot continue forever. The changes in the climate that we are starting to observe today and the insight that the effects of climate change will continue for another 100 years or more, even if we do everything in our power to stop it, makes...

In 1999, in collaboration with a range of partners, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) developed methods for assessing ‘what really matters’ to communities living in tropical forest landscapes.

Known as ‘MLA’ (Multidisciplinary Landscape Assessment), this approach enhances understanding between development practitioners, policy makers and forest communities. The intended result is empowered communities and better-informed decisions on policy, land use and payments for ecosystem services, which will improve forest conservation, protect the needs of local people and advance the wiser management of tropical forests.

In line with fire management projects in India (www.forestfireindia.org), the MLA methods were adapted to...

The MLA guidelines were developed and modified in order to cover all information required. For these guidelines we prepared the data sheets and questionnaires required for the village-based activities. Information was collected through direct interviews with key informants and group discussions and from the scoring exercise or Pebble Distribution Method (PDM), which required involvement by all residents (men, women, young and old) in each village.

The data matrix was established in 2008 during the first MLA (1) workshop in Andhra Pradesh. This matrix consists of the target information and participatory tools for Forest Fire Management in India (Table 1). We...