Open AccessDemand and Supply of Forest Products in Bandevi Buffer Zone Community Forest, Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Author(s) -
Raju Pokharel,
Jagdish Poudel,
Ram Kumar Adhikari,
Aseem R. Sharma
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sustainability in environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2470-6388
pISSN - 2470-637X
DOI - 10.22158/se.v3n4p305
Subject(s) - buffer zone , livelihood , forest product , national park , geography , community forestry , agriculture , forestry , agroforestry , business , forest management , agricultural economics , environmental science , economics , archaeology
Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) started with an objective to engage locals and fulfill their resource needs without jeopardizing conservation. This study estimates the forest product demand and supply of fuelwood, fodder, and timber in Bandevi BZCF user group. Data was collected using stratified random sampling and forest inventory using the quadrate method. Results indicated Bandevi BZCF conditions improved since its handover to the community. However, the study estimated a deficit of 26173 cubic meters per year of timber, 3.21 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) of fodder, and 0.12 Mt/yr of fuelwood. Deficits were fulfilled from agricultural lands outside BZCF and illegal collection from the Bharandavar corridor forest and CNP. BZCF program is a success in improving forest conditions and needs continuation. Policy and programs must focus primarily on livelihood improvement and income generations to reduce the dependency of local people on the forest.