Role of Forests to Sustainable Livelihood of Local Communities at El Gedarif State Sudan

Abstract

Contribution of Forests to Sustainable Livelihood of Local Communities at El Gedarif State (Sudan)

Many parts of the Sudan have been affected by environmental flux in the previous decades; the El Gedarif State was no exemption. Consequently, a substantial number of people lost their subsistence means. At a time, when the international community is striving to alleviate poverty as an integral component of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The objective of this study is to investigate the role of forests to sustainable livelihood of local communities at El Gedarif State. Two villages near El Rawashda/Wad Kabo forest were chosen as study areas, namely: Wad Kabo and Dar elzain villages. A hundred villager were randomly selected to be interviewed In addition to the secondary sources of data, a combination of tools was used to collect primary data. These included: structured and semi-structured interviews, meetings, participant observation, group discussions, and case studies. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 1. The study revealed that forest resources have played an important role in improving the economic situation of the rural people in the study area; forest wood and non-wood products have clear positive contributions in the fields of improving income, housing, fuel, heath, food and fodder, and consequently to the socio-economic stability. The study recommended that: villagers’ contribution to forest management should be facilitated; FNC should extend its concern to look into forest management as an integral part of rural development endeavor. Moreover, villagers should be trained to organize themselves and encouraged to have their own private or community forests.