Understanding and resolving conflicts between local communities and forest guards (Case study: Golestan province)

The varied benefits of the forest and its diverse management approaches give rise to conflicts among stakeholders. In this context, laws and regulations have been established over time to protect and sustain forest ecosystems. Conflicts in forest management are a natural phenomenon, making it crucial for forest-dependent communities to comprehend and appropriately resolve arising conflicts. The perception and awareness of local communities regarding the type and level of conflict with conservation forces play a pivotal role in sustainable forest management. In this regard, the present study aimed to examine the understanding and resolution of conflicts between local communities and forest conservation forces in the Zarrin-Gol watershed area of Golestan province, utilizing a quantitative and deductive approach.

In this study, 485 households from forest-dependent communities were selected in six watersheds of the Zarrin-Gol area in Golestan province. Approximately 190 households were chosen as the sample using systematic random sampling. A questionnaire served as a tool to measure the perception of local communities and the applied approaches to conflict management. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through the opinions of natural resource experts, and its reliability was established by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Following data collection through a survey, data analysis was conducted using SPSS-25 software with the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests.

The results indicate a significant difference in the perception of local communities regarding conflicts with forest protection forces at a 99% confidence level. Their contextual understanding, with an average of 2.09, was higher than their innate response to conflicts. Cooperative strategies and compromise were predominantly employed by local communities in managing conflicts with forest conservation forces, as opposed to avoidance and competition strategies. Additionally, individuals with a better understanding of conflict tended to use cooperation and avoidance more in conflict resolution. Conversely, those with a lesser understanding of conflict tended to rely on stress and confrontation strategies in managing conflicts.

In general, the local communities' comprehension of the nature and extent of disputes can significantly impact the utilization of comprehensive conflict management methods. Implementing facilitative activities to broaden the scope of communication and social interactions, strengthening social capital, increasing knowledge and awareness of the rural environment (including the explanation of ownership systems and responsibilities), and establishing alternative livelihoods in rural areas to reduce the dependency of local communities on forest products are among the most crucial recommendations for mitigating conflicts in the study area.