The economic contribution of forest resources use to rural livelihoods (Case study: Hezar Jarib area of Behshahr City)

Forest resources play an important role in rural livelihoods and wellbeing of hundred millions of people in developing countries. The aim of this study is determining the importance of forest products in rural household’s income and poverty levels and inequality. Economic-Social data of 160 forest fringe households of Hezar Jabir area of Behshahr city were collected using questionnaires and interviews. According to the rural poverty line in 2010 adjusted for survey year (2013), we measure poverty indices in two stages (with and without forest income). For measuring income inequality, Gini coefficient in two staged (with and without forest income) was used. We found that products from environmental resources represent an important component in rural livelihoods. Our analyses indicate that in the study area, income from forest environmental resources occupies the second largest share (%30) in average total household income. Also, by eliminating forest income, the numbers of poor people were been 1.8 times and the distance is greater than the poverty line (4.2 times). Income inequality is 1.28 times, the welfare of the rural population without forest income decrease to the extent of 323.2 million Rials. Poverty and inequality analyses show that incorporating forest environmental incomes in household accounts significantly reduces measured rural poverty and income inequality, beside poverty reduction is the background of environmental sustainability.