Abstract

M. G. Farouque, K. Fuyuki and N. Takashino

This paper examined attitudes of local people towards community-based forest management (CBFM) and explored factors influencing their attitudes. A survey instrument was administered to 80 household heads (both from ethnic and non-ethnic), sampled across the communities adjacent to the forest area using stratified random sampling method. Attitudes of local people towards CBFM approach were measured by developing 15 relevant statements. The study findings revealed that two-third (66.7%) of the ethnic respondents and near about three-fourth (77.3%) of non-ethnic respondents had favouable to highly favourable attitudes towards CBFM. Almost similar percentage of respondents from ethnic (13.7%) and non-ethnic (13.6%) categories were found with unfavourable attitudes. The regression results showed that credit received, participation in training supported by the CBFM project and knowledge on forest conservation had significant positive influence on attitudes of both categories of respondents. Though the independent variables namely, duration of involvement with CBFM project and membership in local formal committee (s) had significance influence upon non-ethnic respondents’ attitudes, these variables did not have significant influence upon attitudes of ethic respondents. For sustainable forest management and conservation goals to be achieved, it is vital that local people’s needs and aspirations and their attitudes regarding CBFM should be considered.