Environmental and Social Aspects in the Implementation of the Reverine Forest's Working Plans

Abstract

The forest working plans of the reverine forests in Sudan had been ceased during 1978- 1997, with the except of the working plan furnished by Yahia Bushara(Gezeira and North of Sennar dam area) aiming at providing fire wood from these reverine forests. After that the plans have been designed by the central technical sector of Forest National Corporation (FNC) within the period 1997 to 2006. The forests have been subjected to neglectence and deterioration as a result of many problems that faced them. This study aims to investigate these problems and highlights the means of addressing them. Data and information collection depended on field surveys, questionnaires for the adjacent communities and meetings with officials concerned working with Forests National Corporation (FNC) at different levels of responsibility. In addition to secondary data from existing documents and reports in F.N.C and related working papers related to planning and the inventory and management and other sources of related information. The study covered three states in central Sudan, namely Blue Nile, Sennar, and Gazeira. Data and information collection targeted two forests in each of the three states respectively. Abdalkhalag and Saoleil, Azaza and Hedaib and Wad almagdoob and Alkab forest respectively. The investigation covered about 10% of the total numbers of households in each village with concentration on the parts of those adjacent to the forest, which constitute an average of 250 families, resulting in a sample of 150 household in the six villages. The results showed that most of local people use the forest as a grazing source for their animals which contributes to livelihood improvement. On the other hand excessive grazing found to be a problem in newly regenerated areas specially goats. This increase the cost of protection. Co- operation with the villagers is highly required in this respect. The study concluded that the existence of markets close to the villages may encourage illegal felling of forest products. This problem needs more efforts for extension. Most of the respondents did not receive any extension work before. More efforts are required to tailor extension services that can serve the working plans and insure their success. The study recommended that forest mangers need to co-operate with the villagers through their committees for proper utilization of the forest by animals to avoid damage that could be caused. An oriented management extension work that service the working plans is required; also Working planning will need more to plan and implement involvement of the local people and to consider more, the social and environmental aspects of these plans. It is found that Taungya assist in controlling mesquite but its success depend on controlling and follow-up. The study also recommended the importance of demarcation of the boundaries to avoid persuading the people to expand farm areas on expenses of the forests. Awareness of the people living in the neighborhood of the forests as regards the ownership of forest/land and finally empowerment, enhancement and activation of the forest laws. There are some obstacles in Wad elmagdoob that prevent it to play its role as a result of the existence of Gazera tannery neighboring it. It is observed that an area of about 30 feddans of the forest was polluted, this have its negative effect not only on the trees but also on the soil, threatening the forest it self and its environment. The study concluded that, the working plans should consider environmental and social aspect through clear objectives and operation process.