Inclusion of Dalits in Community Forest (A Sociological Study of Aahale Mashwara Community Forest, Putalibazar11, Syangja)
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Central Department of Sociology
Abstract
Nepal's rural setting is a complex structure of social system consisting of hierarchical
social structure that includes different economic and social classes, oppressive caste
system and gender discrimination, which is developed from feudal, bureaucratic and
caste and gender biased interests. The difference between rich and poor people, upper
and lower caste, men and women create situation for social conflicts and
discrimination to have access and control over the resources. The main objective of
this study is to describe the socio-economic condition of users in the area, find the
status of inclusion of poor, women and Dalits in participation of decision-making
forums, membership in CF and access to information and opportunities, explore the
condition of inclusion of poor, women and Dalits in benefit sharing and fund
mobilization mechanism among CFUG members, and assess the existing situation of
inclusion of poor, women and Dalits in decision making. Despite a variety of
government interventions, the ethnic minorities continue to be marginalized. There is
hardly any awareness, understanding and planning activities by the government and
extension and research agencies in terms of social and gender discrimination (Baral,
1993: Pp 34-35).