Understanding and resolving conflicts between local communities and forest guards (Case study: Golestan province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Desert Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 Executive Expert, General Department of Natural Resources and Watershed, Golestan Province, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Executive Expert, General Department of Natural Resources and Watershed, Golestan Province, Gorgan, Iran

10.22092/ijfrpr.2023.361432.1570

Abstract

Background and objectives: The varied benefits of the forest and its diverse management approaches give rise to conflicts among stakeholders. In this context, laws and regulations have been established over time to protect and sustain forest ecosystems. Conflicts in forest management are a natural phenomenon, making it crucial for forest-dependent communities to comprehend and appropriately resolve arising conflicts. The perception and awareness of local communities regarding the type and level of conflict with conservation forces play a pivotal role in sustainable forest management. In this regard, the present study aimed to examine the understanding and resolution of conflicts between local communities and forest conservation forces in the Zarrin-Gol watershed area of Golestan province, utilizing a quantitative and deductive approach.
Methodology: In this study, 485 households from forest-dependent communities were selected in six watersheds of the Zarrin-Gol area in Golestan province. Approximately 190 households were chosen as the sample using systematic random sampling. A questionnaire served as a tool to measure the perception of local communities and the applied approaches to conflict management. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through the opinions of natural resource experts, and its reliability was established by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Following data collection through a survey, data analysis was conducted using SPSS-25 software with the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests.
Results: The results indicate a significant difference in the perception of local communities regarding conflicts with forest protection forces at a 99% confidence level. Their contextual understanding, with an average of 2.09, was higher than their innate response to conflicts. Cooperative strategies and compromise were predominantly employed by local communities in managing conflicts with forest conservation forces, as opposed to avoidance and competition strategies. Additionally, individuals with a better understanding of conflict tended to use cooperation and avoidance more in conflict resolution. Conversely, those with a lesser understanding of conflict tended to rely on stress and confrontation strategies in managing conflicts.
Conclusion: In general, the local communities' comprehension of the nature and extent of disputes can significantly impact the utilization of comprehensive conflict management methods. Implementing facilitative activities to broaden the scope of communication and social interactions, strengthening social capital, increasing knowledge and awareness of the rural environment (including the explanation of ownership systems and responsibilities), and establishing alternative livelihoods in rural areas to reduce the dependency of local communities on forest products are among the most crucial recommendations for mitigating conflicts in the study area.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abedi Sarvestani, A., 2021. Perceptions of the agents of the natural resources protection unit of Golestan province about management methods of conflict with local communities. Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research, 19(1): 141-155 (in Persian).
- Alusiola, R.A., Schilling, J. and Klär, P., 2021. REDD+ conflict: Understanding the pathways between forest projects and social conflict. Forests, 12(6): 748.
- Baghebanzade, F., omidian, M. and Maktabi, G.H., 2019. Psychometric characteristics of conflict management questionnaire in high school. Quarterly of Educational Measurement, 9(34): 47-65 (in Persian).
- Beevers, M.D., 2019. Natural Resources: A Catalyst for Conflict and Peace. In: Beevers, M.D. (ed). Peacebuilding and Natural Resource Governance After Armed Conflict. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, pp. 39-61.
- Bonsu, N.O., Dhubháin, Á.N. and O'connor, D., 2019. Understanding forest resource conflicts in Ireland: A case study approach. Land use policy, 80: 287-297.
- Brockington, D., Igoe, J. and Schmidt-Soltau, K., 2006. Conservation, human rights, and poverty reduction. Conservation Biology, 20(1): 250-252.
- Brondo, K.V. and Bown, N., 2011. Neoliberal conservation, Garifuna territorial rights and resource management in the Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area. Conservation and Society, 9(2): 91-105.
- Bruch, C., Jensen, D., Nakayama, M. and Unruh, J., 2019. The changing nature of conflict, peacebuilding, and environmental cooperation. Environmental Law Reporter News & Analysis, 49: 10134.
- Campbell, B., Sayer, J.A., Frost, P., Vermeulen, S., Pérez, M.R., Cunningham, A. and Prabhu, R., 2002. Assessing the performance of natural resource systems. Conservation ecology, 5(2): ART22.
- De Pourcq, K., Thomas, E., Arts, B., Vranckx, A., León-Sicard, T. and Van Damme, P., 2015. Conflict in protected areas: who says co-management does not work. PLoS One, 10(12): e0144943.
- De Pourcq, K., Thomas, E., Arts, B., Vranckx, A., Léon-Sicard, T. and Van Damme, P., 2017. Understanding and resolving conflict between local communities and conservation authorities in Colombia. World Development, 93: 125-135.
- Eckerberg, K. and Sandström, C., 2013. Preface to forest conflicts: a growing research field. Forest Policy and Economics, 33: 3-7.
- FAO., 2001. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, www.FAO.org/forestry
- Fienitz, M., 2023. Taking stock of land use conflict research: A systematic map with special focus on conceptual approaches. Society & Natural Resources, 36(6): 1-18.
- Fisher, L.A., Kim, Y.S., Latifah, S. and Mukarom, M., 2017. Managing forest conflicts: perspectives of indonesia's forest management unit directors. Forest and Society, 1: 8-26.
- Ghasemi Aryan, Y., 2022. Rol, important and economic valuation of vegetation cover on sand dune stabilization and dust storm controlling. Cheharderat publication, 89p (in Persian).
- Gilbert, D.L., 1971. Natural resources and public relations. The Wildlife Society. Washington, DC, 107p.
- Gutiérrez, R.J., Wood, K.A., Redpath, S.M. and Young, J.C., 2016. Conservation conflicts: future research challenges. In: Mateo, R., Arroyo, B. and Garcia, J. (eds). Current trends in wildlife research, Springer, Cham, pp. 267-282.
- Jakobsson, R., Olofsson, E. and Ambrose-Oji, B., 2021. Stakeholder perceptions, management and impacts of forestry conflicts in southern Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 36(1): 68-82.
- Janatichenar, M.A. and Kolahi, M., 2017. Conflicts between ranchers and natural resources administration. The 7th National Conference on Rangeland and Rangeland Management of Iran, May 2017, Karaj, Iran (in Persian).
- Lambin, E.F. and Meyfroidt, P., 2010. Land use transitions: Socio-ecological feedback versus socio-economic change. Land Use policy, 27(2): 108-118.
- Lele, N., Joshi, P.K. and Agrawal, S.P., 2008. Assessing forest fragmentation in northeastern region (NER) of India using landscape matrices. Ecological Indicators, 8(5): 657-663.
- Lele, S., Wilshusen, P., Brockington, D., Seidler, R. and Bawa, K., 2010. Beyond exclusion: alternative approaches to biodiversity conservation in the developing tropics. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2(1-2): 94-100.
- Li, M., Huang, C., Zhu, Z., Shi, H., Lu, H. and Peng, S., 2009. Assessing rates of forest change and fragmentation in Alabama, USA, using the vegetation change tracker model. Forest Ecology and Management, 257(6): 1480-1488.
- Maleki, M., Rezaei, E. and Hosseini Nasab, M.S., 2021. The conflict between stakeholders in Ardabil and Germi counties, Ardabil Province, Iran. Water and Soil Management and Modelling, 1(3): 1-14 (in Persian).
- Mazziotta, A., Podkopaev, D., Triviño, M., Miettinen, K., Pohjanmies, T. and Mönkkönen, M., 2017. Quantifying and resolving conservation conflicts in forest landscapes via multiobjective optimization. Silva Fennica, 51(1): 1778-1798.
- Niemelä, J., Young, J., Alard, D., Askasibar, M., Henle, K., Johnson, R. and Watt, A., 2005. Identifying, managing and monitoring conflicts between forest biodiversity conservation and other human interests in Europe. Forest Policy and Economics, 7(6): 877-890.
- Nousiainen, D. and Mola-Yudego, B., 2022. Characteristics and emerging patterns of forest conflicts in Europe-What can they tell us?. Forest Policy and Economics, 136: 102671.
- Rabiou, A. C., Afolabi, J. F., Momale, S. B., and Boubacar, Y.A.M.B.A., 2022. Conflicts and conflict resolution over classified forests resources of maradi region, Niger republic. Afrigist Journal of Land Administration and Environmental Management, 2(1): 14-26.
- Redpath, S.M., Bhatia, S. and Young, J., 2015. Tilting at wildlife: reconsidering human–wildlife conflict. Oryx, 49(2): 222-225.
- Schellens, M.K. and Diemer, A., 2020. Natural resource conflicts: Definition and three frameworks to aid analysis. Journal: Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Partnerships for the Goals, 1-17.
- Vedeld, P., Jumane, A., Wapalila, G. and Songorwa, A., 2012. Protected areas, poverty and conflicts: A livelihood case study of Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Forest policy and economics, 21: 20-31.
- Vuletic, D., Krajter, S., Kis, K., Posavec, S., Avdibegovic, M., Blagojevic, D. and Paladinic, E., 2009. Conflicts between forestry and nature protection–case studies of two nature parks in Croatia. Periodicum Biologorum, 111(4): 467-478.
- Walker, G.B., 1997. Foundations of natural resource conflict: Conflict theory and public policy. Conflict Management and Public Participation in Land Management. EFI Proceedings, 14(1997): 13-36.
- Yasmi, Y., 2003. Understanding conflict in the co-management of forests: the case of Bulungan Research Forest. International Forestry Review, 5(1): 38-44.
- Yıldız, D. and Atmiş, E., 2023. Conflict management in protected areas in Turkey: Küre mountains national park example. Forestist, 73(2): 160-170.
- Young, J.C., Thompson, D.B., Moore, P., MacGugan, A., Watt, A. and Redpath, S.M., 2016a. A conflict management tool for conservation agencies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 53(3): 705-711.
- Young, J.C., Searle, K., Butler, A., Simmons, P., Watt, A.D. and Jordan, A., 2016b. The role of trust in the resolution of conservation conflicts. Biological Conservation, 195: 196-202.
 

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 06 February 2023
  • Revise Date: 26 August 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 September 2023

Share

How to cite

Statistics