Contribution of protected areas to forest villager development and participation in management (case of Camili biosphere reserve area)

Since the existence of the world, man has been a part of nature. Human beings have constantly benefited from nature, and injury has increasingly transformed into pressure .For this reason, the idea that nature must be protected in the world has emerged over time. By enacting the laws, the nature is being protected. However, while preserving the nature, it is necessary not to ignore the local people living with nature. Therefore, laws have been enacted in order to protect forest villagers. Forest villagers and protected areas should always be considered as a whole. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of protected areas to the development of forest villagers and their participation in management. The study was carried out in Camili Biosphere Reserve Area of Borçka district of Artvin province which has many national and international conservation status. In the scope of the study, the bibliography was searched. In addition, a survey was conducted with local people to determine the contribution of local people to the management. The data obtained were analyzed and interpreted with SPSS 22.0 program. As a result of the study, it was determined that the people living in the region were mostly middle-aged, secondary school graduates and farmers. The livelihood of the people is mainly farming and ecotourism. Understanding the importance of the region seems to reverse the migration situation in the region. It was found that the local people living in the protected areas did not have a say in the decisions regarding the management of these areas and that they were not informed about the issue. It is determined that the participation of the local people and acting together will be more beneficial for the management of natural resources for the more effective, more efficient and sustainable management of the protected areas.