Effects of Joint Forest Management on Livelihood of Local Communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Effects of Joint Forest Management on Livelihood of Local Communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ayaz Ahmed* and Muhammad Zulfiqar
ABSTRACT
This study measured the effects of Joint Forest Management (JFM) on livelihood of local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Purposively three forest divisions had been selected namely Swat, Kalam and Siran of Malakand and Hazara forest regions. The study based on cross sectional data. Data were collected from 321 randomly selected households in three JFM (experimental group) and nearby three non-JFM (control group) villages, located in the same forest-ecological and socio-economic settings. The study analyzed the effects of JFM on local livelihood by using binary logistic regression. Odds ratio analysis of the social and natural assets data showed that the Joint Forest Management approach had significantly increased the social and natural assets of the participants. In terms of financial asset, odds ratio in favor of ‘NTFPs income’ and ‘employment opportunities’ for JFM sample households were 2.289, 2.501 times respectively more than non-JFM sample households. Trainings imparted by forest department significantly improved the skills, knowledge and leadership abilities of the JFM participants (human asset) as compared to non-participants but JFM did not contributed to resolve the health and educational problems of the participants. Regarding the physical asset indicators, data results of two groups showed no significant variation. It was concluded that overall livelihood assets condition of JFM participants was better as compared to non-participants. This study therefore suggested that physical and human assets of the JFM participants should be enhanced for further strengthening of JFM approach in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
