The Significance of women's participation in community forest sustainable management : a case study of Shikharpur community forest, Hokse VDC-3. Kavre district, Nepal

Abstract

Community forest programmes are prioritized in the Nepal government forestry sector. This program was started in Nepal during the late 1970s. The main objective of this program is to ensure local people’s participation for better forest management. Prior to the 1970s deforestation was very high due to the government nationalization act of local forests. The government had restricted local peoples access to forests. As a result, people were aggressively opposed to the government’s actions, and deforestation became a serious problem in rural Nepal. The government realized this as a fact and started a participatory approach in different government programs to mitigate the situation. Nepal is a nation with Hindu majority where, most social, cultural and economical practices have male domination. Women are responsible for household chores like; making food, taking care of the babies, collecting firewood, fodder, green grass and tending to livestock. Women are closely related with forest activities. They have wide knowledge about forests, forests product and management of forests. Their active participation from problem identification to decision making and benefit sharing stages play a vital role for sustainable resource management. In practice, women participation is very low in community forestry program. There are several factors affecting women’s participation such as; socio-cultural norms and values, poor education, poor economic conditions, gender bias, cast domination etc. These factors determine the rate of women’s participation in Shikharpur community forest of Hokse VDC. These factors not only affect in community forest programs, but also affect women’s active participation in different government programs in Nepal. Women’s participation can improve through different community awareness programs and through the active role of government and private sectors. Awareness programs may increase local people’s understanding of the significance of women’s participation in sustainable forest management. People at Shikharpur depend on forests because firewood is their main source of energy in their everyday life. Livestock and agricultural activities are also correlated with forests. Therefore sustainable management of Forests is essential. The government should consider enforcing a rule for a minimum percentage of women participation at different stages of project management. Social organizations, NGOs, INGOs, and the government should focus on improving education and economic conditions in the researched zone, and develop the attitude of women’s active participation is vital for good forest management