Abstract:
Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), among
types of Participatory Forest Management (PFM), plays a great role in
conserving forest resources as most of governments in the world lack proper
resources management. CBFM is also important as local communities feel
themselves that the forest resources are part of their livelihoods. Equity in
CBFM is an important aspect in sustaining the model. However, this aspect
has not been largely researched. This paper intended to provide more
information on perception towards equity in CBFM, which is scantly
available. Duru-Haitemba Forest Reserve has been taken as a case study
whereby a sample of 240 households was randomly drawn for this study.
Household surveys using focus group discussion, transect walk,
stakeholders' analysis and key informants methods were used to collect data.
Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussion and key
informant interviews. The collected data were analysed using content and
related analysis. Based on perceptions of villagers, equity is a situation of
accessing or utilizing forest resources, participation in decision making and
implementation of various responsibilities according to the appropriate
agreements and deliberations of the community. The study concludes that
the level of equity in CBFM was high at Duru-Haitemba. The study
recommends stakeholders to sensitize and mobilize the local communities to
enhance management of their forests.
