Gender Role in Common Resource Management A Case Study of Chisakhola Community Forest, Sarangkot VDC, Kaski, Nepal

Abstract

Community forestry was introduced in Nepal in 1978. The community forestry approach has been highly successful in the protection of forest in the Hills of Nepal.Women and men are playing an important role in sustainable development of community forests. However, the role of female is neither properly identified nor explored. So, the study focuses to the Gender participation in community forest management of Chisakhola community forest user's group. The general objectives of the study is to find the participation of male and female in community forest usergroup's activities whereas the specific objectives of the study are: analyze the socio-economic condition of male and female members of community forestry as well as to find out their attitude towards community forestry. Chisakhola community forest was selected for the study. This study was based on primary and secondary data and the nature of data is qualitative. There are 108 households all of them were chosen for study. Both male and female respondents were selected for interview, Key informants and focus group discussion. During the study, primary and secondary data were collected by using both quantitative (applied Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)tools) and qualitative methods (used questionnaires). For the study, total 108 households(100%) were interviewed. The data of the study has been analyzed using both quantitative and descriptive methods. During the field survey some obstacles were observed and understood for women to participate community forestry activities. Traditional male dominated culture,household works load, lack of empowerment, poor economic condition, lack of knowledge and lack of awareness were pointed as the key obstacles.. Majority of respondents (86.4%) reported that both male and female were getting benefit from community forest. Participation of women in attending meeting was like audience is high (43.17%). Taking part actively in general meeting, sharing in decision making and discussion was very low. In this community forest Brahmins and Chettris are the dominating forest user groups whereas dalits are in minority. Participation of Brahmin and Chettri is high in comparison to others. Women participation was satisfactory but less with the comparison of male. The users are satisfied with the work carried out by forest user committee and community forest program.