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Abstract
This paper provides a numerical general equilibrium assessment of forestry policies aimed at
the reduction of tropical deforestation in Cameroon. Four different policy measures are distinguished,
namely the provision of more secure timber concessions, a rise in the minimum size of trees that can be
harvested, the establishment of national parks, and a tax on forest land. In the model simulations, all
instruments are calibrated so as to achieve a prespecified increase in the volume of standing timber. The
achievement of the ecological target is mainly due to the fact that the policies prevent the agricultural
conversion of some forest land. From an ecological perspective, more secure property rights for
concessionaires are the preferred option, because they most effectively deal with the main problem in
Cameroon, that is the extremely short rotation period which does not allow the forest to regenerate. All
policies lead to a moderate decline in real GDP.