Effects of conservation programs in changing the pattern of fuel consumption of villagers in the Arasbaran forests

Wood and woodfuel are the dominant energy sources for cooking and heating for over two billion people, mainly rural households in the developing countries. In order to conserving forests, it is necessary to substitution of fossil fuel with wood fuel. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is studying the impacts of conservation program in changing the type of fuel used in Arasbaran forests. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 60-samples households, followed by field observations in 7 villages. Results showed that just three households from sixty households did not use wood fuel. The average of wood fuel used per family in spring and summer was 2522 Kg. The average of wood fuel used per family in autumn and winter was 6968 Kg. Fuelwood consumption annual value was 620765 Rials per household in 2010. Fuelwood consumption annual value was 167477 Rials per capita in 2010. Fuelwood collection had negative effects on household economy because of high labor costs. Most of households used oak (Quercus macranthera) and birch (Carpinus betulus) as wood fuel. Based on our results, it is concluded that the conservation program had a positive significant impacts on changing the type of fuel in Arasbaran forests.