Within Asian societies, the authority to make decisions on forest management has shifted to lower levels of government and, in some cases, to the local people themselves. This book considers whether governments can decentralize authority away from the centre or whether there are certain core elements necessary to achieve sustainable management and conservation of forests in a decentralised world. The book argues that policy solutions to resource dilemmas faced by forest accessing rural communities must be flexible, and should allow for local dynamics and innovations to take place. Presenting case studies from Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, the book investigates how decentralisation is affecting local stakeholders and their management of forest resources.