Participation of Dalit in Forest Resource Management (A case study of Garamani VDC, Jhapa District)

Abstract

This study entitles "Participation of Dalits in Forest Resource Management" (A case study of Garamani VDC, Jhapa District" was based on primary data collected in Oct-Nov 2010. To main objective of the study was to find out the participation of Dalits in Forest Resource Management on the basis of case study of Bhelagadhi Community Forest User Committee at Garamani VDC, Jhapa District. The specific objectives were to analyze the socio-economic condition of Dalits FUGs members, to study the accessibility of dalits in forest resource management and to analyze the provision of forest user group to empower dalits in study area. For the purpose of the study, the researcher had applied both exploratory and descriptive research design. The sources of data were both primary and secondary and the nature of data was both qualitative and quantitative. There are 60 households of Dalits household in the community forest of Bhelagadhi community forestry of Garamani VDC, Jhapa. 20% households were selected as universe sample for the study purpose. So the study was census survey. Dalits respondents of the village who are the member of forest user group (One from each household) and ten key informants were the respondents of the study. Study has shown the low literacy figure (41% of male and 48% of female) of Dalits and low awareness leave of Dalits towards forestry. Farming is the major occupation of Dalits. Almost 80 percent of them are living in subsistence. Waged labor is a primary source of income of the respondents. Lack of leadership development and discriminatory practice most of illiterate Dalits are not participating regularly in forest related activities although there was the chairperson and treasurer of Bhelagadhi CFUG were from Dalits cast. They were just physically participating. Almost all Dalits are participating in monitoring, evaluation and benefit sharing process. They have felt a sense of responsibility to protect and manage their resources. The participation of Dalits is not equal with related to other casts but on an average, the effectiveness of Dalits participation in forest resources management is satisfactory.