Forest Fringe Communities Research Articles

Opportunities and Challenges for Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality in the Forest Sector

Forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems and play a major role in mitigating climate change and providing livelihood opportunities to the forest fringe communities. Relevant policies, laws and regulations, ongoing forestry programmes and projects for conservation and sustainable management of forests as well as for meeting the national targets and international commitments across the country provides enabling environment for achieving land degradation neutrality in the forest sector. Main challenges identified for achieving land degradation neutrality in the forest sector are no coordination mechanism among the institutions dealing the issues related to land, poor linkages between financial institutional and forestry institutions, non-availability of sufficient finance for restoration of degraded forest lands, lack of capacity of stakeholders for dealing the issue and no specific responsibility of the corporate sector in restoration of degraded forest lands. Besides addressing these challenges, setting up of state-specific land degradation neutrality targets and transformative projects need to be implemented for restoration of degraded forests and achieving land degradation neutrality.

Community participation and sustainable forest management in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District

Community participation is central to the sustainable management of forest reserves. However, forest reserves in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District are disturbed by rural people even under collaborative forest management, which threatens forest sustainability. The study analysed the socio-economic importance of the reserves to the forest fringe communities, participation levels of the communities in reserve protection, and challenges stakeholders face in ensuring sustainable forest management (SFM). The study adopted a descriptive study design to assess community participation in SFM. Both simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the sample for the study. Questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussion guide were employed for the primary data collection. The main findings of the study were that forest fringe communities enjoyed some benefits from the forest but this was not enough. Their participation in SFM was only by upholding the forest by-laws. However, a major challenge was the farm raiding by elephants from the forest reserve. Community participation in SFM was at the 'lowest levels. Some of the challenges encountered by stakeholders in SFM were non-cooperation of community members and access restriction to forest resources. The study recommends that government should not only legally recognise forest ownership rights but also build the capacity of communities to allow higher community participation levels in SFM.

Ethnomedicinal study of wild plants used by fringe communities in Temperate Forests of Himalayan Kashmir, India

BackgroundThis paper represents the ethnomedicinal information regarding the traditional use of wild medicinal plants in the Sindh Forest Division and its utilization to cure different ailments by fringe people which has not been fully documented. The objective of the study was to explore and document the traditional knowledge of wild plant species used by forest fringe communities of the Sindh Forest Division of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir, India. MethodThe ethnomedicinal data was collected from 111 household respondents including traditional Hakims selected by multi-stage random sampling method from the study area. With the help of a well-structured pre-tested interview schedule, data on the local (Kashmiri) names of the wild medicinal plants, their therapeutic uses, plant parts used, method of preparation and mode of administration to patients were obtained. ResultsA total of 82 medicinal plant species belonging to 76 genera and 52 families were used by fringe communities to treat various ailments. Among all the medicinal plants, Artemisia absinthium shows the highest Relative Frequency of Citation value (0.89) whereas Dioscorea deltoidea possess the lowest Relative Frequency of Citation value of 0.03. ConclusionThe forest fringe communities possess abundant information on the wild medicinal plants and their specific properties for curing different diseases. This ethnomedicinal survey on the diversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants can provide new insights towards the discovery and development of new drugs.

Food-security corridors: A crucial but missing link in tackling deforestation in Southwestern Ghana

Forest conversion for farming remains an issue of scientific and societal concern due to its growing impacts on biodiversity and climate change. Therefore, scientists and policymakers emphasise the urgent need to find a balance between forest conservation and agriculture. Meanwhile, across tropical Africa, subsistence farmers account for nearly two-thirds of forest conversion to farms annually. These farmers’ perceptions and experiences about forest conversion may offer alternative perspectives about the problem and how to tackle it. However, such viewpoints remain scanty in the sustainable forestry literature. This paper employs narrative policy analysis to disentangle the stories that underpin farming by forest-fringe communities (FFCs) in protected forests. The FFCs’ narratives were identified through fieldwork in 12 forest communities of Southwestern Ghana and juxtaposed with forest regulators and cocoa sector actors’ narrativization of forest conversion in Ghana. The results indicate that a combination of factors incite FFCs to farm in protected forests, but the perceived need to respond to food insecurity is the most crucial factor. In the absence of strong grassroots organisations, FFCs cannot convey this crucial need to the forest policy arena, leaving it largely unaddressed in forest policy. Thus, forest encroachment has become a tool for FFCs to resist forest conservation, and generally, as a means for their survival. The paper proposes food security corridors (FSCs) as an integrated landscape management option that can enable FFCs and other policy actors to negotiate and institute food security and conservation goalswithin communities trapped in blocks of forest reserves. The potential FSCs hold to overcome forest conversion for subsistence farming can be unleashed when governments, development partners invest to refine and pilot the concept. Overall, the paper contributes to the land-use conflict literature, showing how context-specific food insecurity can accelerate deforestation. Forestry sector actors need to guard against oversimplifying their assumptions about forest conversion in order to find pragmatic and sustainable solutions to the problem.

Livelihood outcomes after two decades of co-managing a state forest in Uganda

Collaborative forest management (CFM) is widely promoted because of its purported ability to deliver both conservation and livelihoods improvement goals. It is especially attractive to developing countries where livelihood improvement is a key focus of national governments (that have simultaneously made global conservation commitments). Uganda has embraced CFM in its policy framework and promoted it for nearly two decades. However, there is dearth of empirical evidence on livelihoods outcomes for communities as a result of CFM. Using a dataset collected among forest-fringe communities around Budongo central forest reserve (CFR) – a state forest where CFM has been implemented since the early 2000s, we ran a propensity score matching (PSM) to establish suitable counterfactuals and adapted the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to assess changes in livelihood outcomes for CFM participants. Our results show that CFM has increased access to legally-sourced forest products from the state forest and privately (on-farm). However, it has reduced the participants' dependence on forest environmental income while no significant changes in total household income were recorded. The de-jure status of the CFM groups has served as a source of security for CFM participants to access credit. CFM has also offered a platform for conservation and development partners to promote alternative livelihoods schemes that target increased dependence on on-farm income. In order to achieve the envisioned livelihood benefits, conservation and development initiatives should focus on improving household income and promoting sustainable non-farm business models among the CFM groups.

Factors influencing community participation in the implementation and monitoring of FLEGT-VPA in Ghana

PurposeVoluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) offers a framework for open and participatory forest management for forest actors, particularly communities fringing forest reserves. This paper aimed to determine the factors influencing the participation of local communities in the implementation and monitoring of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade-Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) activities.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted in three communities in Goaso Forest District in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. Based on a cross-sectional design, 105 (n = 105) community members were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify socio-demographic and cultural factors that influence people's participation in FLEGT-VPA activities. Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to analyse the influence of the environmental role of the forest and participation in FLEGT-VPA activities.FindingsThe study found a significant association between the leadership status of respondents' local customs/taboo days and participation in both implementation and monitoring activities. At the same time, a significant association was found between respondents' participation in previous training programs and FLEGT-VPA monitoring activities. The environmental role of the forest was also found to have a significant association with respondents' participation in FLEGT-VPA activities.Originality/valueStudies on the factors that influence the participation of forest fringe communities in Ghana in implementing and monitoring FLEGT-VPA activities are non-existent or scarce. This study identified significant socio-demographic and environmental factors contributing to participatory forest conservation modules such as FLEGT-VPA which will guide future forest conservation initiatives that are inclusive of stakeholders’ interests/concerns.

Assessment of income Generating Activities among Forest Fringe Communities in Cross River State of Nigeria

This study assessed the different income generating activities as well as factors that influenced choice of such activities among forest communities in Cross Rivers State of Nigeria. One hundred copies of structured questionnaire were used to obtain information from respondents in the study area. Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected for the study, due to their agrarian and forest-based nature. Five communities were then randomly selected from each of the LGAs and ten copies of questionnaire were randomly administered in each community. Both descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages as well as inferential statistics such as Multinomial Logistic Regression were used in the study. From the study, it was discovered that the average household size, age, farm size and household income were 4; 36.5; 1.75Ha and N39, 330 respectively. It was also observed that the respondents engaged in different income generating activities which are then categorized into On-farm only activities, Non-farm only activities as well as Non-farm+ On-farm activities. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of the respondents engaged in only farming activities with only 20% of them engaging in non-farm activities alone; while 43% of the respondents combine farm activities with non-farm activities. The results of the Multinomial Logistic Regression show that age, educational qualification, access to extension services, total household monthly income, farming experience, farm size as well as availability of forest were variables that significantly influenced the respondents’ choice of livelihood strategies at 5% level of significance.

Insights, motives, and means of overcoming forest offenses in Ghana's forestry sector: The case of the Bibiani Forest District

The high prevalence of illicit forest activities has adverse effects on biodiversity and the environment and setbacks to sustainable forest management and economies. This paper analyzed official reports on forest offenses and linked tree offenses' types to their ecological importance over a ten-year period (2008 to 2017) in the Bibiani Forest District. It sought insights from forestry officials and forest fringe communities' motives and means of managing forest offenses in Ghana. The reviewed official records revealed seven offenses types, with the most frequently recorded offense being illegal farming (n = 67). It was followed by illegal logging (n = 51), illicit mining (n = 33), and chainsaw lumbering (n = 13). The lowest recorded offenses (n = 3) were human-induced wildfire, charcoal production, and canoe carving. From the tree species related offenses, a total of 31 timber species were reportedly felled illegally, with Celtis mildbreadi being the most felled, followed by Triplochiton scleroxylon and Pterygopta macrocarpa. It was also revealed that most of the trees were under imminent threat of extinction (Scarlet-star rated species). The study found lack of farmlands, limited access to NTFPs and trees, logistical challenges (e.g., vehicle, motorbikes, staff and modern technology like drones), weak law enforcement and interferences from some key stakeholders to be factors that motivate culprits to commit illicit forest activities. It is recommended that the Forestry Commission should invest more in technological and human resources to strengthen its surveillance in partnership with forest fringe communities to enhance the ecological, economic and social benefits of forest resources to all segments of society.

Factors associated with community awareness of forest reserve regulations in the Tano-Offin forest reserve in Ghana

ABSTRACT Using questionnaire surveys and drawing on the co-cultural theory, this study examines the spatial, demographic, and socioeconomic factors influencing the awareness of land use and forest reserve regulations among forest fringe communities in the Tano-Offin forest reserve in Ghana. The study finds that high-income community members are significantly more likely to be aware of the regulations. Additionally, women and migrants are significantly less likely to be aware of the regulations. These results suggest that there is a need to rethink awareness creation strategies and make relentless efforts to involve the excluded and the marginalized, especially women, in the information-sharing streams..

Economic dependence of forest fringe communities on threatened and near-threatened medicinal trees of Madhya Pradesh - the largest forest cover state of central India

People have a free access to the Non timber forest produce (NTFP) in the State of Madhya Pradesh, India barring only a few NTFP which are monopolized by the state for collection and trade. Because of such free access tenure, people and the policy makers have little appreciation for the provisional ecosystem services emanating from the state’s forests. Hence, a research study was conducted in Madhya Pradesh state of India during 2014-2015.This paper evaluates the dependence of the forest fringe communities on the already Threatened and Near-threatened Medicinal Tree resources (TNMTs) in the forests of the state for their health and livelihood requirements.This study was conducted in all the six eco-regions of the state after selecting the most forested divisions and purposely selected forest compartments and socio-economic surveys were conducted in the villages adjoining these forest compartments. The TNMTs of these compartments were fully enumerated in the selected compartments and their physical conditions were recorded. Focus group discussions and household surveys were conducted to study the dependence of forest fringe communities on TNMTs in the adjoining forests. The results show that contribution of direct forest income to the total annual household income was found to vary from 29.35% to 69.48% in forest divisions located in all the six eco-regions of the state. In all the six eco-regions, the percentage of households found to be dependent on forests for some or the other benefits ranged from 96% to 100%. Almost all the TNMTs encountered during this survey were found facing threat of local extinction due to poor regeneration and many other factors at most of the forest sites. The authors have suggested some corrective measures for sustainable management of forest resources for the benefit of forest fringe community in the article.

Results from a malaria indicator survey highlight the importance of routine data capture in high-risk forest and farm transmission sites in Vietnam to tailor location-specific malaria elimination interventions.

In-line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016–2030), Vietnam is striving to eliminate malaria by 2030. Targeting appropriate interventions in high-risk populations such as forest and forest-fringe communities is a critical component of malaria elimination efforts in Vietnam. In 2016, a household-level malaria indicator survey was conducted in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam with the aim of assessing the knowledge, behaviors and associated risks of malaria infection among priority mobile and migrant populations (MMPs) working and sleeping in forests and on farms. A total of 4211 people were included in the survey, comprised of 1074 heads of households and 3137 associated household members. Of the 1074 head-of-household respondents, 472 slept in a forest, 92 slept on a farm, 132 slept in both forests and farms, and 378 slept at their villages within the last 12 months. Age, literacy, and occupation were significantly different among those who slept in a forest versus on a farm. Of 301 respondents who answered questions about malaria risk factors at sleeping sites, 35% were somewhat aware of malaria prevention practices, but only 4% could recall at least four malaria prevention messages. Among the same group of 301 respondents, only 29% used nets and only 11% used treated nets. Ownership and use of nets among forest-goers was significantly lower than those who slept on a farm or in their village. Huts without walls were significantly prominent forest sleeping site locations (POR = 10.3; 95% CI 4.67–22.7). All respondents who slept in a forest requested standby malaria drugs and one-third of them self-treated without blood testing. Results from this study highlight the importance of capturing relevant location-specific data among priority populations such as remote forest and farm going mobile and migrant populations in Vietnam. Data regarding behavioral practices, knowledge, preventative measures, and intervention coverage at remote-area transmission sites must be routinely captured to effectively monitor progress and refine targeted intervention strategies accordingly.

Seasonal relation of NTFPs and socio-economic indicators to the household income of the forest-fringe communities of Jaldapara National Park

For India's forest-dependent communities, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are a major source of income and survival. NTFPs collection and their varieties differ season to season. However, little attention has been given on the income variation according to the seasons and various socio-economic factors influencing it. The present study examined the household income of the forest dwelling communities from NTFPs and their relation to the time spent for its collection in three different seasons i.e., summer, winter and rainy. We interviewed randomly selected families of the forest-dependent communities living in the forest fringe areas of Jaldapara National Park (JNP), West Bengal state of India located in the Eastern Himalayas using a semi-structured questionnaire. The average annual household income of the communities was greatly affected by NTFPs obtained during the rainy season. The majority of the households supplemented their total annual household income through NTFPs (1–20% of total family income annually). In the rainy season, the majority of the respondents (75%) spent 1–10 days for NTFPs collection, the time spent significantly influenced their household income. Furthermore, we found that socio-economic variables such as age, education, and family size have an effect on total annual household income from NTFPs. The other variable also influenced the family income is time spent, in terms of number of days expended in NTFP collection during summer and winter seasons. The study affirms the contribution of NTFPs in family income is strongly determined by the period spent in the collection, which also varies with season and socio-economic variables of the inhabitants.

Forests of Cooperation and Conflict: A Study on Joint Forest Management in Jungle Mahals, India

Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a programme that aims to manage the forests of India and to socio-economically develop the forest-fringe communities. A study on JFM was conducted in some forest-fringe villages of Jungle Mahals region of West Bengal. The main objective of the study was to see how JFM is functioning at present in those villages. It is revealed that the local forest department encourages the villagers to use, manage, protect and regulate the forest and its products. However, the villagers have some unfulfilled demands with the forest department. Furthermore, they cooperate with each other within the village but also are engaged in conflict with neighbouring villagers on the matter of the protection of forest and to access its resources. The paper suggests that the local forest department should negotiate with the local communities to resolve such conflicts and to make the JFM programme work more efficiently.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities

Two-thirds of rural Ghanaians are farmers, and farming is almost the only income source for Ghana’s forest-fringe communities. Some farmers adopt some agricultural practices to augment their operations while others do not. We examined the factors that influence farmers’ adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices, namely, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, improved seeds, animal manure, and crop rotation. We surveyed the agricultural systems and livelihoods of 291 smallholder households in forest-fringe communities and developed a multivariate model (canonical correlation analysis) to test the degree to which social, economic, and institutional factors correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of the above practices. We found that 35.4% of the farmers do not adopt any of the practices because they perceive them to be expensive, not useful, and difficult to adopt. The rest (64.6%) adopt at least one of the practices to control weeds, pests and diseases, and consequently increase crop yields. Our results indicate that farmers that perceive the aforementioned practices to be more beneficial, cultivate multiple plots, and have access to extension services adopt more of the practices. Farmer age and distance to source of inputs negatively correlate with adoption and intensity of adoption of agricultural practices. Almost two-thirds each of adopters and non-adopters do not have access to agricultural extension services and this could pose threats to the sustainability of the forest reserves within and around which the farmers cultivate. Educating farmers on agricultural practices that are forest-friendly is critical in the forest-fringe communities of Ghana. The correct application of practices could double outputs and minimize threats to forests and biodiversity through land-sparing.

Farmers’ Forest Values and Preferences for Strategies for Managing Smallholder Forest Plantations Established on State Reserve Lands, Ghana

Forest fringe communities have considerable knowledge of the value of forests. Quantitative forms of such knowledge can provide useful insights to complement scientific knowledge in forest resource management. Nonetheless, little attention has been given to the relevance of quantitative forms of such knowledge. A questionnaire survey of a sample of 92 farmers from six communities in Ghana engaged in smallholder forest plantation establishment was used to gather data on forest values and management strategies. Principal component analysis was employed in the data analysis. The results showed that ‘recreation’ (component 1) is dominated by direct use values and ‘habitat for wildlife’ (component 2), is dominated by indirect use values. In addition to filling the gap created by declining timber resources from natural forests, this study provides useful information on how smallholder plantations can be profitably managed for market and non-market values.

Ethnobotanical Studies on the Use of Medicinal Plants among Forest Fringe Communities around the Kasewe Forest in Moyamba District, Southern Sierra Leone

Forests are home to many flora and fauna species. Forest flora have been very important to man and sustainability of forest ecosystem. Forest flora provides provisional, regulatory, protective and cultural services. These services have been the foundation of civilization and development. Local communities depend on these natural resources for livelihood generation and cultural services. Local communities have been using medicinal plants to cure different ailments. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document medicinal plants diversity and use in forest fringe communities. The study adopted a method used by Martin in 1995 on Ethnobotanical reviews of medicinal plants. Ethnobotanical information was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 57 inhabitants constituting key informants, community leaders, and household heads who are believed to have vast indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. The snowball technique was used to identify respondents in communities around the Kasewe forest. For the diversity of medicinal plants use and associated indigenous knowledge, a plot of size 25 m × 25 m was demarcated with a linear tape and ranging poles in the different habitat types in the study area. Sampling was stratified based on the size of habitat types. A total of 10 sample plots comprising of 4 plots in the closed forest; 3 plots in disturbed areas, 2 plots in farmland, and 1 plot in the grassland were studied. A total of 3377 individual plant stems were documented comprising of 84 individual species belonging to 53 families and 78 genera. Of the 84 individual plant species, 42 were medicinal. The most dominant family was Malvaceae. Tree species were the most dominant life form representing 32.14% followed by shrubs 30.5, herbs 26.8% and climbers 10%. Majority of the plant species are of little conservation concern and few have been categorized as endangered and vulnerable that need special conservation attention. Species with the highest density was Chromolaena odorata 110 m2, while Xylopia quintais 0.1 m2 had the least density per hector. The Shannon-wiener index recorded 1.236 as the highest in plot 3 while plot 10 in the grassland was considered as the lowest with 0.757. The finding revealed that 92.98% of respondents around the Kasewe forest in the Moyamba district used medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. At the same time, a very limited proportion depends on other medication sources to treat therapeutic ailments. 98.25% of the respondents, mostly older people, know medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. All parts of the plant were indicated to be used for treatment of different ailments. However, the root (43.8%), bark (36.8%) and leaves (35%) are the most common plant parts used to treat different therapeutic ailments. 96.49% of the respondents have knowledge on administering prepared herbal medicine.

Converting Forest Biomass to Bioenergy for Improved Community Livelihoods: A Review

A wide range of forest biomass from both natural and plantation forests constitutes an essential natural asset to a large number of households. The ever-increasing development of biofuels as a potentially sustainable and cleaner replacement for conventional fuels represents a key challenge for the forest industry and the opportunity for forest fringe communities. This, typifies a unique situation to understand the challenges and opportunities for designing sustainable bioenergy supply chains that require simultaneous consideration of economic, social, and environmental aspects. The objective of this study was to examine the conversion of forest biomass to bioenergy for improved community livelihoods. Desk study, content analysis and authors’ personal experiences were employed in carrying out this study. The study finds that forest environ abounds with biomass as feedstock for bioenergy. Positively, there are different technologies in converting biomass to bioenergy. However, it calls for the technical know-how and other factors such as infrastructure, market, full participation of critical players and policy incentives to facilitate bioenergy enterprises at the local level. In conclusion, policies and support mechanisms on bioenergy in creating sustainable livelihoods should be the priority for most countries where biomass abounds and could be established to provide clean and efficient energy.

Effects of wood harvesting on the livelihood of forest fringe communities in southwest Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess effects of wood harvesting on the livelihood of forest communities in Ibarapa region, southwest, Nigeria. The study was conducted to identify the various livelihood activities engaged in by forest communities in the region; to assess how wood harvesting in the forests has affected the livelihood of the people in the region as well as to determine the factors influencing wood harvesting in the region. Three hundred copies of structured questionnaire were used to elicit information from the respondents. Focused Group Discussion and Key Informant Interview were also used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results show that various livelihood activities were engaged in by the respondents, prominent among which were food crop production, cash crop production, charcoal production, among others. Among the factors that were responsible for wood harvesting in the region, only age, occupation, household size and the distance of respondent’s house to the forest were significant at 5%. It was observed that excessive wood harvesting has negatively affected the forests in the study area as most of the forests have been greatly degraded. This study recommends that the activities of forest communities should be regulated by local authorities and governments, at different levels, in order to sustain the forests in the region.
 Key words: timber, charcoal, lumbering, regression, fuelwood

Assessing the value of forest resources to rural households: A case of forest-fringe communities in the Northern Region of Ghana

This study assessed the value of forest resources to rural households in forest-fringe communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. It also identified the factors that influence the amount of compensation (in terms of money) households were willing to accept to forego or limit the use of forest resources. We collected data from rural households in fringe communities to the Mole National Park and the Kenikeni Forest Reserve. Contingent valuation method was used to estimate the value of forest resources to rural households. Also, the Tobit model was used to investigate the determinants of the value of forest resources. The results show that households are willing to accept an average amount of GH¢3346.26 and GH¢1487.67 as annual compensation to forfeit the exploitation of market and non-market forest resources respectively. The Tobit model results show that education, age, income, farm size, remittances, membership to community-based organizations, access to extension services, distance from forest reserve and livestock wealth are factors influencing the average amount households are willing to accept as compensation. Based on the study outcomes, rural households should be educated on the importance of indirect forest resources. In line with the principle of fairness and equal rights and responsibility, a comprehensive ecological compensation scheme should be included in any ecological environment protection agenda of forest reserve areas. This protection agenda should not exclude households from exploiting non-market forest resources.

Livelihood security of rural households in Northern Ghana: do forests matter?

The study was conducted to analyze and ascertain the relevance of forest to the livelihood security of rural households in Northern Ghana. Primary data were collected from 240 sampled rural households from forest fringe communities in the West Gonja District and non-forest fringe communities in the Central Gonja District. Household livelihood security was measured using six security indices. The study results revealed that forest matters significantly in terms of livelihood security, with the forest livelihood zone recording higher livelihood security than the non-forest livelihood zone. The study established using Welch’s t-test a statistically and significantly higher livelihood security in the forest zone than in the non-forest zone. It is recommended that household livelihood diversification, geographical location and sustainable forest resource management are critical for policies that are aimed at alleviating rural poverty and guaranteeing rural livelihood securities.