A Gender Perspective Analysis of participation in Community Forest (A Case Study of Bhirpati Community Forest of khaira Vdc in Pyuthan District)

Abstract

The Research study is on the burning issue of Community Forestry Programwithfocus on gender participation in community forest. The Community ForestryProgramis handled through local users known as forest user group. The main problem of thestudy is unequal gender participation in forest related activities, because of the socialand cultural factors. This has raised problematic issue in community forestry for itscontinuity and sustainability. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct in depth study onthe issue of equal gender participation in community forest program. The researchtopic is particularly based on the problems of community forestryprogram,which is“A Gender Perspective Analysis of Participation in Community Forest (A CaseStudy of Bhirpeti Community Forest of Khaira VDC of Pyuthan District)” The objectives of the study were: to examine the level of participation of men andwomen in forestrelated activities like executive committee, group meeting, trainings,Protection and collection of forest products and management work; to find out thefactors affecting their level of participation; to trace out the attitude of men towardswomen in participation; and to assess the impact of the community forestprogramofKhaira VDC. To meet the objectives of the study, primary and secondary data werecollected from the field visit as well as from various publications. The data wereanalyzed descriptivelyand analytically. In Bhirpeti community forest, Chhetri caste is dominating user group where as otherDalit and ethnic groups are in minority. Women participation in management,protection, and utilization of forest products is higher than men but their participationis less in planning, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation process (e.g. groupmeetings, general assemblies and training, Seminar). Poverty, illiteracy, social value and norms and others are hindering factors in activeparticipation of people in community forestry. Women users have had grievanceabout increased extra work load and partiality attitude of men towards women forequal opportunities in all forest related activities. The study found out that womenhave increased extra workload of forest management and household chores, whicheven keeps them busy. Therefore, there must be clear policy of equity and equality inforest related activities with balance participation in CF constitution. In overall thestudied, the community forest was found a model forest with the active participationof users. Some major changes in community forest should be made to improvebalance in participation of all level in community forestry.