The Royal Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 as a first National Park to safeguard the rich flora, fauna and outstanding natural features of Nepal Terai. The study area is within the Buffer Zone of the Chitwan National Park, Chitwan district. The study was carried out in the Jagatpur VDC (Kerung Buffer Zone User Committee), which is linked to the Kathmandu valley by about 170 to 180 km. These villages lie on the Northern part of the park adjoining to the park with sub tropical climate.
The activities in buffer zone are in fact solely dependent on socio- economic condition of the people. The illiteracy, lack of awareness and the poverty are all related to socio-economy, resulting in the conflict between the conservationist and people, because local people are dependent on the forest and the forest products. To overcome the rapid degradation of forest and the forest products, various poverty alleviation and employment generation programs are underway to improve the livelihood of buffer zone communities. It is not only the plants and animals who depended on the forest but it is also the people who depend on the forest for their survival i.e. it have created economical hardship to the local people. So, underlying the valuable status of biodiversity; the proposed study was aimed at unraveling possible sources of income and distribution of expenditure covering the issues like: Poverty, Productivity improvement, Capacity building, Infrastructure development, Socio economic development etc.
The objectives of the study were to review the existing biodiversity conservation practices, their current pressure and threat in relation to socio-economic aspects, to review the ongoing activities on conservation of biodiversity, economic development and to identify constraints, gaps and future Socio-economic needs for biodiversity conservation. To obtain the goal of the study, Project identification, feasibility design, commitment & negotiation, implementation and management activities was studied during the field visit by applying various methodologies like, field visit, social survey, and interview with local people and related institution's officials. Qualitative and quantitative characteristic of the economical innovative activities was identified and analyzed using simple statistical tools like percentages and proportions to derive: Status of the existing measures and their stabilization condition, Current situation, pre historic condition, Problems and issues (both short term and long term), Comparison of site status.
The study shows that 67.4% of the people living near by the park have only Rs.1000-3000 monthly income. So to drive up the status of the people the existing constraints reason should be identified very minutely and find the solution. The main problems of the VDC are fodder (90.37% dependency), fire wood (94.07 % dependency), loans, education, health etc. The irrigation is a problem for this area. Thus the pressure is stuffed in the near by natural forest of park. But only significant ongoing activities on conservation of biodiversity and economic development of the local people and environment are motivating the local to invest on the productive activities. But some time due to lack of proper management system of park, the wild life impact the near by cultivated area e.g. 58.84% of crop will be destroyed by wildlife near Royal Chitwan National Park and aggressive farmer kills the precious life. So the required incentives are also in need.
Educational program, skill oriented program, Vocational training, Capacity building, Community Development activities conducted by several organization like KMTNC,BZUC,BSU, Park etc are productive although the no. is less. The quantitative use of resources for the livelihood is replaced by the diversion of the profession like skill oriented training (69% have only benefited till now ) and practices like Sewing and Weaving training for girls and women, Computer training, Electrician training, Muda Banaune, Painting ,Handicraft, Brick making, Nature guide, Income generative etc but are still more is in need. The Sharing of the resources is not sufficient so extension training, community forestry and income generating work. Beekeeping, Seri culture, apiculture, Fishery, Poultry farming, Goat training & Piggery, Vegetable Farming and Buffalo farming and also some time for Dairy & Micro Enterprises etc can be improved more to reduce the threats and pressure on the biodiversity .Out of 135 respondents 87 % demand for the biodiversity conservation activities.
Despite the fact, sometime while lunching and implementing the programs regarding the community development, knowingly or unknowingly gap create in between the authentic institution and local public. This sometime creates a misunderstanding between the park and the consumers. This results a serious problem sometime. The reason behind it is unclear policy, insufficient policy for resources distribution, poverty etc. Gaps create the constraints for the development and integrated activities between the people and park. So the VDC gap between the park and people should be removed to gain the socioeconomic status. The activities are limited, policy is not clear, fund allocation is not sufficient and strategic plan is not made. Giving less importance of resources is hastening the habitat. Lack of benefit sharing mechanism and improper implementation mechanism of rules and regulation some time encourage the people for the over exploitation of the resources. Thus, the program and activities ongoing are insufficient for covering the whole social catastrophe.
Only by the extension of the budget and program with more objectives can be the key for opening the door of poverty. The allocated 40 % of the budget was mainly utilized for the developmental works last year giving least priority to the biodiversity and natural resources management. So the budget should be prioritized for the conservation of biodiversity.
Thus, biodiversity conservation activities are impacted by the socio- economic constraints in the buffer zone area. To drive up the status of the people the existing constraints should be identified very minutely and should take step to over come the problem. The activities are limited, policy is not clear, fund allocation is not sufficient and strategic plan is not made so the problem is there but related authority should not let it to be chronic.
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