University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Tashi Samdrup
(2011):
Improving the contribution of Community Forestry to poverty reduction in Bhutan.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Agrar- und Forstökonomie (AFO),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 64.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- This study analyses the existing pro-poor activities in six community forests in Bhutan and assesses how they are perceived by the poor members of the community. It also identifies activities the poor would like to implement to improve their livelihoods. Semi-standardized interviews with key informants and focus group discussions were the main methods of data collection. Sticky dots were used to rank the importance of current and potential activities during the focus group discussions. The most frequently mentioned current activities by poor men and women were: harvesting timber, poles and fencing posts for bonafide use, followed by loans services, and marketing of timber. Several problems were raised by the focus groups, especially the lack of skills, funds and uncertain rules. Potential activities suggested by the focus groups included: strengthening loan facilities as well as initiating enterprises to produce and market e.g. furniture, non timber forest products and stones. There were some differences between the priorities for men and for women. The poor women suggested activities such as weaving, collecting medicinal plants, ferns and wild asparagus. The poor men suggested activities such as planting and marketing bamboo, using a stone quarry, and starting a furniture enterprise. Overall, this indicates that the members of the community forestry groups would be interested in moving from using the forest for subsistence towards creating employment opportunities and commercializing forest products. The key obstacles to realizing these activities were lack of funds for the initial investments and lack of knowledge related to processing and marketing the products. The study shows that the poor members of the community benefited from the establishment of the community forests (esp. through easier access to forest resources to cover subsistence needs). New activities suggested by the focus groups require some investments, but they would allow to establish enterprises, thus creating employment for the youth and increasing the cash income of the community.
- Beurteilende(r): Darnhofer Ika