Print PageAccording to the International Food Policy Research Institute, 70% of Nepal’s population and nearly all people in rural districts depend on subsistence (Ojha et al. 2009), in which forest products play an important role.
A study was carried out to assess the socioeconomic status of blacksmith families and the role and capacity of community forestry in enhancing blacksmiths’ profession by providing charcoal from the waste or by-products of community forestry. Overall objective of the study was to find out the extent of charcoal availability from community forestry and its potential to enhance the blacksmith profession. One of the major objectives of this research was to access the feasibility of the utilizing waste products from the community forests for charcoal production.
An experiment was conducted to determine the best species of trees for charcoal production and charcoal requirements for the fabrication of the most common tools. Use of the 3D (Diseased, Decayed, Dried) principle for production of charcoal appears feasible, although less profitable, than use of good stands for the species studied, namely, Pinus roxburghii, Castonopsis indica, Schima wallichii, Lyonia ovalifolia, Rhododendron arboreum and Prunus cerasoides.
Results/Conclusions
The collected information on the socioeconomic status of blacksmiths in the study area by means of a questionnaire survey shows that blacksmiths in the study area did not have sufficient land to survive, and income from other sources was also insufficient for their livelihood. Charcoal production may serve as a good source of income in any community forests through its sale to the small-scale enterprises. But due to the lack of proper guidelines and coordination of waste utilization, the potential is untapped.
The results regarding feasibility of utilizing waste products from community forests for charcoal production confirmed that 3D trees of various species used in charcoal production seemed to closely match production from healthy trees. The study showed that 88% of the blacksmiths have no land for rice or staples production. It indicates that one of the ways to support the livelihood of blacksmiths would be to provide 3D trees exclusively to them. Since 3D trees are valued at a much lower price than healthy trees, this measure would increase the profitability of blacksmithing.
The potential of community forests in providing income generation, as well as, professional enhancement to disadvantaged groups appears promising.
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