Determination of Contribution of GDoFVA's Projects Implemented which is Purposed for Reducing Firewood Consumption (Case Study; West Mediterranean and Western Black Sea Regions)

Abstract

Studies which assess the economical contributions of practices of General Directorate of Forest Villages Affairs (GDoFVA) to the region or nation is of a limited number. In order for GDoFVA to develop its policies, it is necessary to identify the economical contribution of its practices at the local, regional and national level. To create awareness of the economical dimensions of the GDoFVA Solar Energy Systems practices, by assessing its contributions to the economy of the local, regional and national economy. The study takes within its scope the economical contributions of the GDoFVA Solar Energy Systems implemented in the forest villages in Turkey by taking into consideration the data from the forest villages of the Western Mediterranean Region. Written resources regarding the topic was obtained from related public organisations and institutions by the screening method. Unique data was collected with questionnaires developed for face to face interviews. The SES practices were implemented for 3,447 families in a total of 152 forest villages in the Western Mediterranean Region. A sample of 15-20% of the population of each village with the SES was obtained. According to the number of families for which the SES was implemented in the forest villages of the region between 2005-2011, the practice leads to a total annual saving of 10,800 stere. The SES practice has been implemented nationwide to 145 thousand families. According to this, the total annual contribution for the nation is 454 thousand stere. This amount shows that there is approximately an annual saving of 340.5 thousand m3 of wood.