Forest dwellers livelihood dependence on forest resources (Case study: Namjoo watershed of Kouhdasht County)

Abstract

In Iran Zagros forests, forest dwellers on forest and forest products overdependence understanding of socio-economic issues in order to prevent and even reduce forest degradation is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate some forest dwellers livelihood dependence on forest resources in the northern part of city functions Kouhdasht is Namjoo watershed. For this purpose, the household data collection questionnaire and interview with the forest residents, Statistical Center of Iran, and the information contained in VA village and County of Kouhdasht were used. The results showed that local people's income is less than their cost. This caused the locals to cover their living costs to cultivate their unauthorized forest understory. This contribution is causing deforestation and degradation. The relationship between income and household expenses using the Pearson test showed that there are no significant correlation between them (R2 = 0.041; p = 0.784). Also, the results have proved that the relationship between the dependent and the income derived from forest are no significant (R2 = 0.327; p = 0.36).

Keywords

• deforestation
• Local people
• Questionnaires
• socio-economic problems
• Sustainable Development