Abstract
This study examines the dependency of rural communities on forest resources and their perceptions towards Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the Kavango West region of Namibia. The study also investigated the roles of communities in SFM. The study further examined the socioeconomic factors that influenced communities’ participation in SFM. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 239 randomly selected households in January and February 2019. The data collected was analysed through descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. The study found that communities significantly depend more on forest resources (p = 0.000). Rural community plays role in SFM (p = 0.010). The results further show that employment status (p = 0.002) and types of farming activities (p = 0.040) significantly influence community participation in SFM. Activities which should be carried by community to increase their participation in SFM include tree planting, harvesting of forest resources, fire suppressing and prevention, decision making and policing. The study concluded that consideration to socioeconomic characteristics of households living around the forest is essential in SFM. Therefore, policy measures that aim at increasing forestry income and generating non-forest opportunities for rural communities are important to reduce forest dependency and enhance conservation.
Natanael, M (2021). Assessment of community dependency on forest resources and their roles in Sustainable Forest Management: A case of Kavango West region in Namibia. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-community-dependency-on-forest-resources-and-their-roles-in-sustainable-forest-management-a-case-of-kavango-west-region-in-namibia
Natanael, Mirjam "Assessment of community dependency on forest resources and their roles in Sustainable Forest Management: A case of Kavango West region in Namibia" Afribary. Afribary, 10 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-community-dependency-on-forest-resources-and-their-roles-in-sustainable-forest-management-a-case-of-kavango-west-region-in-namibia. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
Natanael, Mirjam . "Assessment of community dependency on forest resources and their roles in Sustainable Forest Management: A case of Kavango West region in Namibia". Afribary, Afribary, 10 May. 2021. Web. 19 May. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-community-dependency-on-forest-resources-and-their-roles-in-sustainable-forest-management-a-case-of-kavango-west-region-in-namibia >.
Natanael, Mirjam . "Assessment of community dependency on forest resources and their roles in Sustainable Forest Management: A case of Kavango West region in Namibia" Afribary (2021). Accessed May 19, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/assessment-of-community-dependency-on-forest-resources-and-their-roles-in-sustainable-forest-management-a-case-of-kavango-west-region-in-namibia