The Role of Community Forests in providing goods and services for local communities (Case study of El-Rawashda Forest – Gedaref State, Sudan)

Abstract

This study was carried out in El-Rawashda Natural Reserved Forest in 2019. It is located in the Eastern part of Sudan at latitude 14.2˚ N and longitude 35.6˚ E. The aim of this study is to highlight the role of community forest in raising the standard living of local people, while the specific objectives are to identify the direct benefits, indirect benefits and the awareness of local people about forest resources. Based on reconnaissance survey, the target population consisted of villagers, Farmers, herders and nomads around the El-Rawashda Forest. Due to the large gauge of the research population, stratified random sampling with 5% sample size and 95% level of confidence using snow ball techniques and theoretical saturation point theory, questionnaires were administrated and distributed to (100) household. In addition, local community leaders and forest officers were also interviewed to get detailed information concerning goods and services provided by forest and the drivers behind it. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyzed data obtained by questionnaires, The results revealed that there were remarkable goods and services drives by community forestry such as firewood, charcoal, fodder and forage, building materials and traditional medicine. In addition, the forest played a considerable role by providing a wide range of benefits, contributing significantly to people’s livelihoods and environmental services.