Role of community forestry on bio-diversity conservation and community development (A case study of Salleri Community Forestry Amarpur, Panchthar)

Abstract

This research is done in the issue of community forestry, which is people oriented forest program in Nepal. The community forestry program is handled through local organization known as forest user group. The effectiveness of community forest in relation to people's participation in this very crucial. Conservation of bio-diversity in the context of Nepal could be highly effective by the Community Forestry User Groups. This study focuses in the institutional process, participation in decision making, implementation of benefit sharing, benefits of people's participation and challenges of community forest on role of community forestry on bio-diversity conservation and community development of Salleri Community Forestry Amarpur, Panchthar district. To meet the objectives of the study, primary and secondary data were collected from the field visit. In this community forest, all community forest users are satisfied with the work carried out by forest user committee and community forest program. But after elimination of Kipat system, users are afraid with it till now because of lack of awareness. Education level was found influential factor in active participation. The different community forest related training, which was already held, has benefited the users. The users have managed to gain some knowledge about community forest and conservation of bio-diversity. In overall, more training should be conducted to make active participation to all castes/ethnic groups to use community forest. Community Forest User Group could be the best example of inclusiveness on participation, decision making and benefit sharing. Community forest could be the main source of income of local people as well as it could play vital role for the conservation of bio-diversity. So they should be given necessary training and assistance by the government and other concerned institutions.