| Author | Syiem, Evanshainia |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-08-13 |
| Subject(s) | Community forests--Management--India--Meghalaya
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-08-13 |
| Abstract | This study attempts to understand the working of the indigenous institutions in community forest management, and how the changes are affecting these institutions, the forests as well as the forests users. Two village CFs, Umtasor Mawdkhar and Mawtari, falling within the same management unit, (an Elaka), were studied so as to enable the researcher to draw comparisons and provide a stronger basis for the research. Each of these villages own a village durbar and its own community forest (Village Forest/Law Shnong). The institutional functioning was studied by looking at their governance mechanism and structure, their management practices and level of influence of the higher level formal institutions i.e. the KHADC on them. The State Forest Department was also analyzed through its relationship with the communities (Village Durbars) and the KHADC. Peoples' dependence on the CF and their knowledge of & attitude towards the institutions was studied through their socio-economic characteristics, the use of the forest itself, and through the level of participation in the durbar meetings. The forest condition was studied through a simple forest inventory of both CFs and through the perception of the people. Effects of the external and internal issues (privatization as one of the major factors) was analyzed through the changes in the forest condition and the dependence level of the people on these forests. Objectives were to identify and study the governance mechanism of existing informal indigenous institutions in CFM and the level of influence of higher level formal institutions on them; to examine the effects of privatization and other factors on the functioning of these indigenous institutions as well as the communities in general; to look at the follow up impact of these changes on the dependence of local people on the forest and to assess the present forest condition. The study was based on both qualitative and quantitative information. Methods that were employed were household surveys; key informant interviews (grassroot level, KHADC, State FD and other relevant people); field observations and a forest inventory in each CF (taking the State Reserved forest as a control forest). Findings showed that village durbars are the principal players in the management of the CFs but that their practices and earlier agreements have not been very efficient. Lack of funds and relational gap between these durbars and the KHADC is hindering development of CFM. Conflicts between the State FD and KHADC and village durbars viewing the State FD merely as a source of fund are also impinging on the management efforts. Thus institutional issues and emerging trends (privatization, broom grass commercialization, attractions of fast cash businesses, general lack of interest among youth and Christianity) are affecting the peoples' attitude towards CFM. The forest condition is at stake and the peoples' dependence on it is also threatened. Development in the relations and attitude between the village durbars, the KHADC and the State Forest Department is needed. Revision of management practices is required among village durbars. Proper policies for CFM is the need of the hour to bring about effective CFM in the State and the North East region as a whole. Commercialization and other activities arising from privatization can be solved through introduction of alternative cultivation practices that would not harm the forest |
| Year | 2008 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-08-13 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Webb, Edward L. ;Shivakoti, Ganesh Prasad ;Nongkynrih, A. Kyrham; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship ;Community Forestry International (CFI); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008 |