Community-Based Sustainable Forest Management of the Amazon Rainforest: A Focus on Pará State, Brazil
Abstract
The study aimed at analysing communities based sustainable forest management of Amazon Rainforest. Forest cover of the world is coming under threat as a result of the fast growth of human population and its needs especially those depend on forest products and related issues. Areas under agriculture and pasture are alarmingly expanding often at the expense of forest covers or lands. This study used a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis to examine the efficacy of community-based sustainable forest management in Amazon Rainforest. The sustainability of the forest is threatened by deforestation, illegal logging, and agricultural encroachment, as evidenced by quantitative results from 200 respondents, household surveys, and forest inventory assessments. The significance of a participatory approach is highlighted by the fact that 74.5% (149 respondents) reported participating in community-based forest management that forest-based activities have improved their socioeconomic status, and most highlighted the lack of alternative livelihood options and their financial reliance on forest resources. On the other hand, 25.5% (51 respondents) chose not to participate, presumably as a result of the community's lack of motivation to engage in forest management is a result of unclear rewards, low awareness, and lax enforcement of conservation regulations. The study concludes that while CBSFM has the ability to strike a balance between livelihoods and conservation, community alienation, pressures from deforestation, and inadequate institutional frameworks make it less successful. To guarantee the long-term viability of Amazon Rainforest, it suggests boosting community awareness initiatives, fortifying regional institutions, encouraging alternative livelihoods like agroforestry, and encouraging stakeholder cooperation.
Keywords: Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM), Amazon Rainforest, Sustainable Livelihoods, Deforestation and Conservation, Pará State, Brazil
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