People’s Participation in Community Forestry Management: A Case Study of Panchulli Community Forest of Birpath VDC, Achham District

Abstract

This study entitled” People’s Participation in Community Forestry Management (A Case Study of Panchulli Community Forest of Birpath VDC, Achham District). The main concern of this study is analyzed how people are participating on implementation process of community forestry management and the process of decision making and benefit sharing. The general objective of this study is to examine and analyze local people's participation in Panchulli Community Forestry Users Group, Birpath V.D.C. Achham District. The specific objectives of the study are to analyze the socio-economic situation of the study area. Similarly it was discussed on institutional process of community forest and examines people participation in community forestry activities. The study also focuses on the hindering and motivating factors of local people participation in Community Forestry. Panchali Community Forestry Users Group, Birpath V.D.C was selected for the research and studied the situation of people participation in community forestry management. There are six community forests in Birpath this is one. The CF has 45 hectors forest land and 189 users households. The study area is situated in the north east direction from district centre, Mangalsen. The study area is heterogeneity in terms of caste, ethnicity, class, etc. The study site is also accessible and safe considering in the present conflict situation. The study applied exploratory and descriptive research design. Exploratory research design was applied to explore the issues concerned with the participation of people in CF management activities. It also assisted to explore the issues regarding to the knowledge, perception and practices about CF management in the studied people. Descriptive research design was used to describe the socio-cultural and economic characteristics of the studied population. Similarly, it is also used to describe the local people involvement in different activities of the CF such as decision making, monitoring and evaluating, program implementation and benefit sharing Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in this research and those were collected from the field through the use of various research tools and techniques in order to fulfill the stated objectives and to answer the research questions. The data were gathered from the primary and secondary sources. Primary data were gathered from the field through observation, interview, household survey, group discussion, etc. Secondary data were gathered from various published and unpublished documents, records, journals, books, articles etc. The Secondary data helped to understands overall status of community forest management. The Panchulli Community Forestry User Group, Birpath V.D.C of Achham was selected as universe purposively for the detail study. Total population of the universe was, of which 189 household 1398 users were. Among these household 30 households were selected by using random sampling method. Socio-cultural factors play vital role to hinder their involvement in forest management activities. Local people were found highly engaged in household activities as well as involved in wage labour, carrying load and other household activities firewood, maintenance of shed etc. All household activities make them busy throughout the day. So, limited time also affect to participate in community forestry.