Role of Lamjithang community forestry towards quality of life of the local people

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the role of community forest for supporting the quality of life of the local people. The objectives of this study were to investigate pattern of use of forest and non-forest products from community forest supporting quality of life of local people and to analyze roles and responsibilities of the people in managing Lamjithang community forest at Rinchengang village. Total of 86 households were registered for the management and use of forest product. All 86 households were interviewed during the data collection, thus the method used was census. Questionnaires for household interview, checklist questions for key informant interview were developed. The data were analyzed by applying descriptive statistics. It was found that pattern of use of timber products such as timber and poles were mainly used for construction and maintenance purpose. Out of 86 households, 60.5% used timber for construction and 38.8% used for maintenance work. In case of poles, almost equal number of households (50%) used for constructional and maintenance works. It was also found people used timber product from the government reserved forest because there are not enough matured trees for the constructional purpose at the moment. Households used non- timber product for consumption and sale if excess after domestic use. For non-timber product 79.1% of households collect firewood, 20.9% collect fern for domestic purpose and 2.3% sale, 41.2% use asparagus for domestic purpose and 3.5% sale and 74.4% use for domestic purpose and 8.1% sale and 30.2% collect bedding material for domestic purpose only. The products they sale was for the extra income for the household to support the quality of life. Besides income from non-timber forest product, people also generate income from agricultural activities and livestock rearing.