An evaluation of forest villagers' awareness of forestry legislation: The example of Torul and Kürtün forest management directorates

In this research, it was aimed to determine the awareness of forest villagers about forest crimes, protection of forests and the provisions of the legislation regarding the utilization of forests by forest villagers. The research was planned to be carried out in forest villages located in the area of responsibility of Trabzon Regional Directorate of Forestry Torul and Kürtün Forest Management Directorates. In the study, a total of 177 participants, including 66 participants in 17 villages of Torul district and 111 participants in 27 villages of Kürtün district, were surveyed based on face-to-face interviews. The propositions in the research scale in the data collection tool were shaped according to a 5-point Likert scale. The results of the research showed that the participants did not have sufficient knowledge and awareness about forest crimes and forest utilization. The most important types of forest crimes were forest burning, smuggling and logging. While the participants found the actions taken for livelihood concerns acceptable in forest utilization, they disagreed with the idea that forest villagers should be kept away from forests. On the other hand, there was a consensus that ownership change would contribute positively to the protection of forests. In addition, participants stated that their relations with forest management personnel were mostly good or normal. Views on the need to protect forests differ according to age; respondents between 51-65 years of age were more negative about the idea that forest villagers should be kept away from forests, while respondents over 65 years of age were more positive. In general, significant differences of opinion and age-based attitudinal differences were observed among the participants on the protection and management of forests.