Editing Decentralization (section)

=== Environmental ===
Central governments themselves may own large tracts of land and control the forest, water, mineral, wildlife and other resources they contain. They may manage them through government operations or leasing them to private businesses; or they may neglect them to be exploited by individuals or groups who defy non-enforced laws against exploitation. It also may control most private land through land-use, zoning, environmental and other regulations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Vernon L. |last2=Simmons |first2=Emily |title=How and Why to Privatize Federal Lands |url=https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/how-why-privatize-federal-lands |publisher=CATO Institute |date=9 December 1999 }}</ref> Selling off or leasing lands can be profitable for governments willing to relinquish control, but such programs can face public scrutiny because of fear of a loss of heritage or of environmental damage. Devolution of control to regional or local governments has been found to be an effective way of dealing with these concerns.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Larson |first1=Anne M. |title=Decentralisation and forest management in Latin America: towards a working model |journal=Public Administration and Development |date=August 2003 |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=211–226 |doi=10.1002/pad.271 |s2cid=39722511 }}</ref> Such decentralization has happened in India<ref>I. Scoones, ''Beyond Farmer First'', London: Intermediate technology publications.</ref> and other developing nations.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Larson |first1=Anne M |title=Natural Resources and Decentralization in Nicaragua: Are Local Governments Up to the Job? |journal=World Development |date=January 2002 |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=17–31 |doi=10.1016/s0305-750x(01)00098-5 }}</ref>