Establishing Good Relationships with Villagers for Community Forestry

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

1992

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

"In the past there was a deeply rooted belief amongst Nepali villagers that the forest belonged to the government and that therefore all activities relating to the forest were the government's responsibility. In order to break down such attitudes, special emphasis has been given to establishing proper rapport with the villagers. This is needed to conduct forest development activities and to gather necessary information for the proper management of the forest. It is essential for the Field Worker to develop good relationships with the villagers by mixing with them through frequent visits, and making tours of the villages and forests in question. Frequent visits will naturally foster good relationships with the villagers. Conversations relating to family and social matters help to develop a feeling of trust, understanding and cooperation in a gradual manner. The development of such rapport depends largely on the way of talking, sociability and cooperation of the Field Worker. It is difficult to prescribe a particular methodology in this regard. However, in the author's experience the following procedures have helped to develop a good relationship with villagers from the outset of discussions."

Description

Keywords

forests, forest management, village organization, community forestry, households

Citation

Collections