Buffer Zone Management: A Sociological study of people-resources relation in Chitwan National Park (An Anthropological study of Jagatpur & Bharatpur Buffer Zone User Committees)

Abstract

Chitwan National Park is among the pioneer in Buffer zone management concept in Nepal. Itis a new concept for the people, by the people, and to the people there by justifying the people’s participation concept in biodiversity management. The involvement of local community in planning, program execution, implementation, and revenue sharing is the keyof buffer zone management concept. Significant socio cultural change has been observed in buffer zones of Chitwan National Park. From the historical period the simple and subsistence economy has changed to completely market oriented capitalistic society. Everything relating to the marketing of goods and services brought many goodies and bad things. To strengthen the prospects of local population towards biodiversity conservation and minimizing illegal harvesting of resources and selfish distribution of benefit, the concept of buffer zone management has played a vitalrole in the arena of natural resource management. The study has conducted in two BZUC of CNP’s BZ i.e. In Bharatpur, Barandabhar BZUCand in Jagatpur, kerunga BZUC using key informant interview, participant observation, and focused group discussion. Relevant and available literatures were reviewed and necessary consultation was made with members of related field. Participation of dis-advantaged group and women in BZUC has not found satisfactory background of individual e.g. wealth, ex-leader or more active personality of the society.Decision making process within BZUC has found democratic. Coordination and communication system with BZUC has found in formal and informal ways as they didregular meeting in their office and informal visit. Record keeping was the main responsibility of its office assistant besides the BZUC members. Mobilization of fund has determined by their approved programs, which, after the co-ordination meeting with BZUG, they purposedtransparent and well organized. Ethnic /caste composition of BZUC has not found properly represented i.e. domination of upper Hindu caste group is common. Representation of lower caste group (i.e. Damai, kami, Sharki) has not found in BZUC even they were in notable number. Proper representation of Aadibashi group (Tharu) has not found in BZUC. Subsides and revenues from the park to the local communities had led to reduce the conflict.Greenery outside the park has found maintained that made the expansion of the habitat of wildlife’s. Pressure on forest product of National Park has reduced. Alternative source of job from skill development trainings and income generating are additional management approaches to reduce park people conflict.