Embracing a low-key approach in CF commerce: Zhasela Community Forest

Buffum et al (2005) mentions that Community Forest Management groups are harvesting timber conservatively and at levels below the prescriptions in the CF management plan, which means that CFMGs are very careful in harvesting forest products from their Community Forest (Courtesy: Temphel, K.J & Buffum. B: Community Forest contributes to the National and Millennium Development Goal without Compromising the Forest Policy! June 2006).

No passing hammer and transit permits, household fragmentations, fluctuation in timber demands and unforeseen risks such as construction of farm road and power corridors from within the areas designated as Community Forest are also known to hinder the sale of timbers from Community Forest as per the findings of Sacha Dorji and Sonam Phuntsho from the case studies conducted in June 2007. They have done the case studies on Two Community Forest in Mongar and Bumthang.  

The approved Management Plan of the Zhasela Community Forest allows the extraction of atleast 56 nos of Drashings in a year inclusive of annual total demands of 11 standing trees by CFMGs (CFMP p9). This leaves an excess of 45 standing trees of Drashing (more than 50 cm DBH) which can be sold to generate income.  Generating income to enhance the living standard of the rural communities is one of the objectives of incepting the Zhasela Community Forest (CFMP p1). 

With its initial commencement in early February of 2005, it is now into almost into 6th year of operation just short of a quarter. As per the records, only 88 Nos of Drashings have been harvested which include 82 Nos to meet the internal demand while only 6 standing trees of Drashings have been sold in raw, semi finished and finished forms. As per the Annual Harvesting Limits (AHL) they should have harvested by now atleast 336 Nos of Drashing sized trees only, inclusive of 66 Nos for CFMGs use. This leaves atleast 248 Nos of Drashing sized trees un-harvested for selling against only 6 Nos of Drashing sized trees sold so far.

The sale of 6 Nos of Drashing sized trees in different forms has helped generate gross income of Nu.362,103.50. So, for an average, a tree is fetching them atleast 60,350 overlooking the value addition to the products. Going by this simple calculations or an assumptions, into the sixth year, the CFMGs should have been able to generate gross income of Nu.1,49,66,800 or 14million (248 times 60,350). 
  
There goes an old line of economic that wants are unlimited while the resources are limited. The low volume harvesting contradicts strongly with such statement. However, this low volume extraction does not restrict the fulfillment of CFMGs needs. The demands from the CFMGs are entertained even if it is higher than their projection in the CFMP with the belief that CF should benefit the CFMGs in every spheres. 

The low key approach to the CF commerce can be attributed firstly to the physical stocks available inside the area designated as Community Forest. Since the inventory of the stock is done in sampling method as is the recommended procedures, CFMGs are following a cautious approach not to render the CF blank few years down the lane. It is also with the strong believe that timber resources within the area are for them alone, be it this year or a decade after. They do not want to regret over spilled milk or make haste is waste decision. It is also an earnest way to remain ever prepared should any unforeseen tantrums of unpredictable Mother Nature.