Benefit sharing and Community participation dynamics in forest management: A case study from Kankali Community forestry, Nepal

Abstract

Community forestry has a significant role in the lives of people in Nepal as it serves the livelihood security of people to a greater extent. It is central in ensuring community participation in all the stages of CF (Community forestry) process and thus reach the objectives of sustainable forest management. However, it is quite difficult to address the interests of all users and to ensure the participation of all stakeholders in the decentralised forest management process. Moreover, it is evident that people need motivation to participate in any activities. Therefore the present study is focused on the dynamics of participation in forest management, especially on the link between distribution of benefits, and the level of participation of members, by exploring the process of institutional management and community governance. The study was undertaken in 178 households of Kankali community forestry, in Chitwan district of Nepal. The results revealed that availabilty of the benefits do not have direct relation with neither paricipation in activities nor in decision making. Though motivation is a prerequisite to activate participation of people in any activity, other methods of persuasion is also vital to continue its pace. Whereas, to influence decision making process, other individual characteristics including nature, leadership quality, experience, knowledge etc. may have great control and can determine the participation dynamics which needs to be studied further.