The Identification of Challenges and the Formulation of Management Participatory Mechanisms using SOWT Analysis in Fotest Bankoul Area of Ilam Province

Participatory forest management, as a model for sustainable forest development, prepares local people to play an effective role in their fate and they enable to participate in the process of sustainable forest development. Present research looks to the gap of between the current status and the ideal status of the forest Bankoul area as a fundamental concern. So, this research has done with the aim of formulating of management participatory mechanisms of the mentioned area. The method of research is a descriptive and analytical method so that with the help of PRA various tools, the needed information was collected from the local stakeholders. Then, using the SWOT model, internal factors (weaknesses and strengths) and external factors (opportunities and threats) were identified. For evaluating and weighing of Internal Factors (IF) and External Factors (EF) used from the process of Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). Internal factor matrix with score of 3.07 shows that the studied area has more strengths than weaknesses. External factors matrix with score of 2.94 shows that the mentioned area has more opportunities than threats. The results indicate that the studied area in the strategic planning table places in an aggressive conditions (SO mechanisms) and based on analysis of QSPM, mechanisms of SO are the best mechanisms for participatory management of the forest Bankoul area. Therefore, in the studied area, if we want to move towards mechanisms of participatory management, we must give priority to aggressive mechanisms.