PARTICIPATION OF RURAL WOMEN IN SOCIAL FORESTRY AT PAIKGACHA, KHULNA

Abstract

To determine the extent and types of activities performed by the rural women in social forestry at Paikgacha upazila of Khulna district is the main purpose of the study. The study was conducted at four villages namely Batikhali, Agorghata, Kashimnagar and Noakati under three unions namely Godaipur, Kapilmuni and Haridhali. Data was collected from 69 randomly selected women by using a pre tested interview schedule during the period of November to December 2020. The findings showed that around half of the total respondents (47.9%) take part in the Maintenance of the plantation and the rest half participate in Tree plantation and Post-harvest activities. According to the respondents, ‘lack of co-operation of male’ ranked first and Destruction of plantation by excessive storm, drought and flood ranked last. The final outcome is provided usually once in a year and in some cases once in six months which discourage them to participate in some extent. In spite of having some constraints, participation in social forestry has improved the socioeconomic condition of the participants remarkably. The study reveals that the participation

of rural women is well enough at Paikgacha and due to its positive impact. Besides, taking

some necessary steps to minimize the constraints can enhance the scopes to participate in

social forestry more significantly.