BANGLADESH JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A study was conducted on the socio-economic upliftment ofthe rural poor women
in Pomra Community Forestry Project (CFP) ofRangunia, Chittagong compared to those in
the adjacent Non-CFP areas. Thirty sample families from each group reveal that the women
populations are same (45%) in both the areas. Women who can read and write in the CFP
and Non-CFP areas have been found to be 66% and 37% respectively. About 29% and 35%
female workforce have been found in these two areas with 1.7 and 2.1 women per family. It
has been found that 53% and 20% women are conscious about health while 70% and 53%
women found to be liberal to talk or meet visitors orstrangersin the CFP and Non-CFP areas
respectively. The average annual income per family have been found to be Tk. 20,640/- in
CFP and Tk. 3,608/-in Non-CFP areas where the contribution of female workforce are
Tk. 8,997/- and Tk. 1,647/- respectively.
The Community Forestry Project, undertaken in 1981 was the first governmentinitiated
and large-scale participatory forestry management programme in Bangladesh.
Under this project the participants were promised 50 percent share from the sales
proceeds of final tree harvest in addition to 100 percent of all other benefits generated .
from agricultural crops, thinning materials and pruning. In 1993 five agroforestry plots,
each having an area of 1.21 hectares of land were harvested at Madhyapara, Dinajpur.
Although rotation was planned for a period of seven years trees were actually felled one
year later. It has been the country’s first logged-over area under participatory approach.
Half of the sales proceeds was distributed to the participants. This example inspired both
the participants and the Forest Department.
Financial viability of the system has been explained in terms of internal rate of
return, benefit-cost ratio and present net worth under three situations, viz. a) financial
viability of the whole system, b) financial gain of the participants, and c) financial gain
of the Forest Department. While the system as a whole is found to be highly prospective,
the results also show that the benefits generated to both the participants and the Forest
Department are also much encouraging. A sensitivity analysis allowing probable variations
in cost and benefits reveals no financial risk of the system under any criteria. Social
impacts of the project and some problems have been pointed out.
Welcome to the Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science (BJFS) – a leading platform for advancing the knowledge and understanding of forest science in Bangladesh and beyond. Established with a commitment to excellence, BJFS serves as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
