ROLE OF FOREST RESOURCES ON LIVELIHOOD OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN CHAKRASILA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY OF ASSAM

Author(s): Rita Choudhury, Pritam Saha and Puranjit Das

Abstract: Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary, a human dominated protected area situated in Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts of Assam, well known for Golden Langur. The sanctuary is covered by 28 villages inhabiting different ethnic groups such as Bodo, Rabha, Garo, Rajbonghi, Nepali, Muslim etc. The present studies consist of extent of forest dependence and livelihood benefits from various forest resources by local people and their attitude towards biodiversity conservation. Data were obtained by interviewing 326 respondents from 150 families of all 28 villages from various economic and demographic backgrounds during the period of 2nd January 2017 to31st March, 2017 by using a questionnaire. The study revealed that forest resources contributing 20-70% income of 95% households directly or indirectly. The poor families have been mostly depending upon forest resources. But economically sound families also utilized various forest resources. The findings provide valuable information on livelihood from forest resources by different sections of inhabitants. Among a section of people, knowledge on wildlife conservation was found in very little though few NGOs have been working relentlessly in this aspect. The Govt and NGOs have to play significant role for better future of the protected area by inculcating the people to reduce their dependency from decreasing forest resources.

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